It’s hard to believe a year has passed since Tony died*. And I think to myself, ‘What has my experience of Tony meant to me?”
Small things, really.
It was a pleasant surprise to realize over time how many in the community had been aware of him, and thought about homelessness because of him.
Because of my long conversations with him, and reflections about the sort of experiences that can lead to his ‘lifestyle’, I find I see people who panhandle more clearly now as individuals, and can imagine them having siblings or children who worry about them. Or nightmares.
I realize that it doesn’t really matter if the fellow who gets my dollar or two turns around and invests in alcohol or drugs. If I compare potential reactions to him, I imagine that kindness is more likely to influence change, than a hostile or disapproving attitude – if anything will. And in any case, adding more unpleasantness to his life won’t make anything better.
Tony unknowingly brought people together who might never have known each other without his presence. And then when he died, more people were moved to “do something”. Like raise funds to have a bench installed on Roncesvalles. Some people felt they just didn’t want his life and death to “mean nothing”.
The best for me has been learning that there are even more compassionate, conscious people in Roncesvalles Village than I had realized. As I go about my activities here and there, I’m left with a warm, solid confidence in my little community. So Tony has left a legacy of sorts. He’d chuckle at that idea.
*http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1072796–roncy-mourns-homeless-blogger
World Class City 
Tuesday, Wednesday and this coming Monday I have the opportunity to speak about homelessness and mental health at a university. I’m going to have to tell them about this!
Bravo! Homelessness (or ‘underhoused’ as my social worker daughter tells me) is a widely misunderstood issue – I’m sure you’ll raise consciousness! 🙂
I try a say “experiencing homelessness” so people can see that this isn’t damning someone. I don’t think I’ve heard many people say “underhoused” despite being a social worker myself. The class is on the Canadian homelessness experience and that’s also basically it’s name. So many terms and not everyone likes them!
So far it’s been well received. I’m thinking for our last presentation we should add some more happy to it.
Yes – as my mother used to say, “You can’t win!” Can’t keep up with political correctness…