RIP "Dennis"

goose · Post by **goose** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 4:21 pm

Rest in Peace Dennis. Dennis was my homeless guy. In San Francisco we have an overabundance of panhandling homeless people that migrate to the City for one reason or another. Consequently, you can’t give money, smokes or whatever to all of them, so you adopt one. 2 years ago, I adopted Dennis.

Dennis slept in a doorway near the backdoor of my office. He’d set up camp about 10 feet from where I park my bike and the property owner would just leave him be for the most part. He was a respectful homeless guy, never left a trail of garbage or shopping carts like many here do. In the morning, he’d offer to watch my bike for a smoke. We'd smoke and talk and I'd go to work, usually leaving him with another smoke for the day. Once, I caught him chasing some guy away from my bike. I have no idea if the guy was just looking at it or what, but it was pretty stand up of Dennis to make good on his promise to watch my bike.

He liked baseball. Last March, I bought him a cheap handheld radio so he could listen to the Giants games. I’m not much of a baseball fan, but I’d pretend to be so we could talk about something he was interested during our morning smokes. It was one of his happiest moments when the Giants won the series. I am so happy he lived to see that. I bought him one of those knock-off jerseys they sell at the flea market. He didn’t want a real one because he was afraid another homeless person would want it and may steal it. Usually he was pretty dirty, but he always cleaned that jersey to wear on game days.

Recently, he wasn’t looking too good. He wasn’t jumping up when I’d pull into my work spot and he looked frail when he finally did get up and about. He asked for some money to buy milk for his ulcer. Yeah, I gave him money. On Christmas eve he needed money for a prescription and I gave that to him too. Funny, I was certain he was spending it on something else, but he wasn’t. He was found with the scrip on him.

I’m not sure anyone will miss Dennis. Oddly, I do. He was a kind soul, left to his own devices and terrible demons on the streets. RIP.

Rabbit_Fighter · Post by **Rabbit_Fighter** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 4:37 pm

Sad story.

I try my hardest to remain compassionate for homeless people, but it is all to easy for their humanity to fade from view as we go about our days.

Pintgudge · Post by **Pintgudge** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 4:51 pm

Damn.

It's hard enough to have any kind of dignity sometimes, but you gave him some.

I remember someone saying something about "The least of us may be the greatest"

You just never know.

calamari kid · Post by **calamari kid** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 7:30 pm

Doesn't seem so odd, you missing him. Any guy you can share a smoke with while talking ball, and who'll also watch your back, has to rate somewhere on the friend meter. Thanks for sharing this.

guitargeek · Post by **guitargeek** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 6:26 am

It's a sign of our own humanity when we can recognize the humanity in others.

Good on ya, goose.

Jaeger · Post by **Jaeger** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 8:12 am

Good post.

RIP, Dennis.

--Jaeger

Post by **DerGolgo** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 9:00 am

Life is harsh, and horrible for some. His wasn't quite as horrible as it could have been because of you.

You're definitely one of the good guys, goose.

piccini9 · Post by **piccini9** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 10:46 am

DerGolgo wrote:Life is harsh, and horrible for some. His wasn't quite as horrible as it could have been because of you.

You're definitely one of the good guys, goose.

Yeah.
I have befriended if not "adopted" some of the local street people here.
It doesn't always go well, and is sometimes depressing. But treating another human being like a person is the right thing to do.

Zer0 · Post by **Zer0** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 12:28 pm

Goose, you're a good man to act so humanely as you did to Dennis. And it is nice he was around to see the Giants win it all--for a man who had nothing, even that can help. Thanks for helping him.

RIP Dennis.

Post by **Beemer Dan** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 6:45 pm

I've heard it said that we are the main character of our own movie, but we don't get to choose the writer or director. It sounds like Dennis was living a rough one, but it also sounds like it was made a lot better with you around.

There are more than a few guys at the coffeehouse I hang out at here that have had some really rough patches. It's always a good, and very human experience hanging out with them. One of the guys was in a coma for a year and a half brought on by too much drinking, but before that he had a several motorcycles and rode everywhere. We talk bikes for hours, and he hopes to get another one someday.

Another fell on hard times taking care of family, ended up living out of his car for a few years. He eventually got back on his feet with the help of others, and he now is returning the favor. He is a reiki healer, but even if you're skeptical of non-scientific healing practices, his presence never fails to have a very calming relaxing effect on anyone near him. You would be hard pressed to find a more peaceful and caring person, and I guarantee if you're having a crap day he can change your entire outlook in a five minute conversation.

When these guys talk about the people that helped them when they had no hope and nothing to offer, it's enough to bring tears to my eyes. The girls that work at the coffeehouse often give the homeless people something to eat and a warm cup of coffee to help them through the day. I regularly throw a bit extra into the tip jar, in the hopes that it helps to keep a good balance.

You've always been a great guy Goose. It's nice to hear that you made Dennis's life a better place, helped him keep his dignity and gave him a reason to smile.

Moto_Myotis · Post by **Moto_Myotis** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:29 pm

That's really sad. My condolences.

You always act like you're heartless, but I've always known it was, well, an act!

Zer0 · Post by **Zer0** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 4:40 pm

I think he only acts like an ass around people he likes.

Wait a minute, he buys me beer and gives me smokes crap maybe he doesn't like me either

Jonny · Post by **Jonny** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 7:48 am

Goose, thanks for writing that up. You did a good thing for the both of you by sharing a little humanity.

Not wanting to be overly light-hearted, but this does remind me of something...

In the late '90's when I was living in central Melbourne I used to run into a lot of homeless types and people living rough in the city. One day a guy came up to me and says "Mate, I'm not going to lie to you. I'm dying for a beer. Could you spare a couple of dollars?". I thought, sure! Here's a guy that is just up front and not telling any tales of woe. He just wants a beer. So I gave him a few dollars, feeling good about the honesty of it all. I was surprised, shocked, and disappointed a few minutes later when the same guy ran past me with a big tub of fruit salad. Lying prick.

MoraleHazard · Post by **MoraleHazard** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 2:07 pm

Good on ya Goose. RIP Dennis. It reminds me of living in Jersey City, seeing some of the street people and then not seeing them, wondering what happened. Also good on you to take time to spend with him.

Moto_Myotis · Post by **Moto_Myotis** » Thu Feb 17, 2011 9:35 am

Zer0 wrote:Wait a minute, he buys me beer and gives me smokes crap maybe he doesn't like me either

yeah, he does that with me as well, but all the while jabbin' me with all this misanthropy.

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RIP "Dennis"

RIP "Dennis"