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The Saddest Most Heartbreaking Encounter I Ever Had.

This is not really fig related and it's ok if you don't read further

.But if you have a couple of minutes read the following few sentences.

I had just finished posting my latest thread, and was feeling down because so many figs were splitting.

As I was walking to my local StarBucks for my daily dose of espresso, I saw one of the saddest sights of my life.

At first I thought it was a student spawled out on the sidewalk going though her stuff ( NYU is nearby) Then I noticed, the bottom half of her outfit was torn and dirty and she had no shoes.

Got closer and it became clear she was homeless

But she had such an incredible look of sweet wounded innocence.

She absolutely glowed. It was surreal. I was nearly in tears. 

I felt helpless in front of this person - Someone's Daughter,  Someone's Sister -

She was Half my age, and I just wanted to pick her up and bring her- even against her will - to the nearest Hospital or shelter.

I offered her some help, she refused. .I asked her if was she in trouble, and if I could call someone, she said no.I asked if she needed money, she meekly nodded her head yes.

.I emptied my pockets of whatever cash I had and gave it to her. 

Don't know her name, she wouldn't say. Don't know what happened to drive her into the streets, she wouldn't tell me.

When I said " I don't often see such a young homeless person ",  she said: " Take a picture, the memory will last longer "

These are those pictures.

As I waked away, I flagged down a Police Car and told the officers about her.

They said they would speak to her.

As I continued walking away I could see them talking to her and see her smiling that haunting smile.

i went back an hour later, just to see. But she was gone.


Sorry, for the long post.


The point I was/am trying to make is I feel so guilty now for feeling down because of some splitting figs.


Maybe I could/should have done more?



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You did the best you can. No one can take that away from you.
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Rafed.


I appreciate the kind words and thoughts.
 

I checked with the Police station,, they contacted the original officers and told me that the girl was a RMA, meaning she Refused Medical Attention.

So basically she just went on her way without availing herself of the services the police offered.

I live in NYC, have for years, I see homeless people on a daily basis, 

I try to give some money, or food when I can, and  not to sound harsh or jaded, but nearly all are much older and  " hardened " and past what I call the " Point Of No Return "

They have been on the streets for years, either because of drugs or alcohol with what I believe no chance of recovery.

This girl was different.

I truly felt she was at the cusp of redemption and being saved from a horrible fate.

Either it being;, living on the streets, turning to hardcore drugs or prostitution. 

It didn't look as though she was on the streets for a long time, she was fairly clean, with some fresh belongings.

And again, not to sound weird or strange, but she really did have this strong " Aura " of innocence/helplessness.

I never saw her before, I hope she was not abused by her parent(s) maybe she just ran away and they are looking find her.

I guess the one thing I can still do is post her photo somewhere online saying if you are looking for this girl I saw her at so and so.

Just not certain if that is a wise move.

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She is a former fig collector.

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Nick..i thank you. very good deed. nice to see others helping the needy. you acted with your heart and thats always a good thing. what a beautiful young lady.
                                luke
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Bass
Are you sure about being fig collector?
The story gets heart wrenching and surely for those who have children or know other young ones with long life ahead of them.
The family must be in agony with such situation. Our prayers are with her and her family for a safe future together.
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ditto - Ottawan.

Oldghost -- glad you try to help.
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Ottawan you are so right. We have a wayward son. He has always been a problem child, not in a bad way, but not one to conform to general rules of society. He's a  loner and left us on and off since he was in his early twenties, he is now 46. He finally hit the road for good about 15 years ago. We have only seen him three time since, for my Dad's funeral, again for my Mom's funeral and then again for my Father in Laws funeral. He didn't speak to me but my wife cornered him while in front of everybody and had a few words with him. We just know and have prepared ourselves for a phone call one day that will tell us that he has met his maker. As the years pass we have accustomed ourselves to the situation and don't feel as bad as we once did but at least now we know that he is living in a decent place for now and had a steady job. But there were times when we heard his was living on porches and under abandoned houses and such. In those days it was hard to believe that he would rather live like that than be near us. The sad part is he won't discuss why he is living like he is and what sent him off away from us. All we ever did for him was to try and make things better any way he wanted. We never will figure it out unless he leaves us a diary or something. We pray and we wait.

Nick thank you for your kindness towards that girl. Don't you sometime wish you had a magic wand or something.

"gene"
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Gene
Sorry to hear about the situation you mentioned. Sometimes it is hard to figure out why things go that way or where things went wrong and it does become puzzling.
While you pray and wait, we wish and pray that you always hear good news about him. May the almighty make it easier in a good way for the whole family.

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She looks so happy.

Makes me wonder if she was ever abused in any kind of way at home and she ended up taking refuge in the streets to get away from it all.

Such a beautiful young lady.

I'm very disturbed by this.
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  • Avatar / Picture
  • FMD

Possibility...young actress trying to understand/master role of homeless person. This would explain a lot of things including refusing help, nice teeth, good skin etc.
At least, I hope so.
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Good eyes FMD - after a couple of decades of helping out at a homeless ministry, she has the earmarks of one looking for the experience - or at least that is what I hope and pray.  If she is on the street, she hasn't been for long, (she doesn't have some of the symptoms of long drug alcohol abuse and most homeless wear shoes) and I hope someone gets ahold of her and talks some sense into her and she gets off the street.  It looks like the homeless life will eat her alive.   

Gene, my heart aches for you and our family.  I have a close friend that has 2 wayward adults, and one that almost followed them.  Their dad is a sportswriter and it has been so painful to see them having to go through this ordeal and trying to comfort them and help them through it.  I feel useless, but I can't imagine how they feel other than what they tell me. 

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Thanks God in advance for.taking care of one of His children. Nick, I think this angel was your test. I think you passed.
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Gene, its all from the heart that counts. Noss is very correct on "parents concern".  My parents when they were still around has always treated me like a kid that has lots more growing up to do. I know it is from the heart and good reasons that they are watching out for me. That's the difference I can count on and I can still remember how we grew up poor in our early years & grandma was always there to send food & money. Grandma did not even have grade 1 education but she has a huge warm heart. Remember her fondly.
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