Thread by @MortuaryReport

thank you everyone for your help with my medications today. just went out to run some errands. as i was getting out of my car, a woman introduced herself - tasha - and explained that she was homeless and her tent had been ripped to shreds last night

it’s bad out here in the bay; the cost of living is so high that so many people simply can’t afford it. the affluence that technology brings is usually right next to huge sprawling cities of tents and campers

i didn’t have any cash on me but i told her i would get her some on the way out. it’s been dropping into the 40s and lower for the last week, with rain

tasha didn’t say it outright, but i know that no tent often brings fear and sexual assault. i’ve had more than one person living without shelter tell me that they’ve been attacked, assaulted, or raped

i stop and talk to people even if i don’t have money. i’m often told that i’m the first person to look them in the eye for days sometimes

i came out and gave her some cash and she grabbed me in the biggest bear hug and just held me

just sobbing in my shoulder, hugging me as hard and tight as she could

i hate this. i hate that medicine and shelter are so fucking hard for so many people. i hate that we live in the most affluent place, the place that should be changing lives, and instead we’re leaving people to starve and suffer

fuck if i’m gonna go get a tent and see if i can find her

one tent, one tarp, one push light, and a candy bar cuz everyone deserves chocolate when they feel bad

since this is catching all y’all’s eyes - my motto is stay weird, be kind. i gently suggest you go put some kind out into the world as soon as you can cuz it needs it :) let @stayweirdbekind know whatcha did & read my manifesto at stayweirdbekind.com! #swbk #stayweirdbekind

it is pouring and 51 degrees out there and i hate that there are people out in fricking tents trying to stay warm and dry. i hope she’s as okay as she can be