I had a nice chat with a man down on his luck today. I bought him lunch and he told me his life story:
Addiction has been the theme of Seth's 44 yrs of life on earth. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio he never finished school and was involved with a few gangs in his youth. Later in life he worked in Steel Mills until the mid-eighties. When the steel industry took a dive so did Seth's life. He found himself back on drugs with little hope for the future. Strung out and penniless, he eventually made his way to a local Men's shelter where he is currently living and looking for a job.
I told him about this Weekly Assignment and he agreed to be my model. Thanks Seth, and I pray you will find your purpose.
It was emotional hearing him tell all that has happened in his life. He was very open and really just wanted someone to talk to so I was glad the WA put us together.
Thanks Yakim. I have to admit I was uncomfortable when we first met. I stepped inside the shelter and this fellow was curled up in the corner waiting for a bus ride. The way he "came to life" during our discussion was encouraging. I have worked in shelters with charity groups before, but going there alone and striking up a conversation with a stranger was a totally different thing. After you get to know someone in his Seth's position you realize we are much alike. Nobody is immune to losing themselves to depression. I believe Seth is working his way out of it though. When I left he was laughing and smiling. Not anything I did, it's just he is ready to pull himself up and get going. I took some shots of him happy too, but I wanted to use the somber one for the WA.
