What a long 24 hours I’ve finished. First there was a personal medical issue, which hopefully will clear itself with antibiotics. Then there was the rest of the day at two hospitals attending to ill parishioners — one was helicoptered to St Joe’s in Ypsilanti. Finally the overnight shift at the homeless shelter.
The night was calm and uneventful. S and I watched two episodes of Grey’s Anatomy with the homeless folks before lights went out. Then we moved over to the volunteer room for the rest of the night. A volunteer must stay awake at all times, so one of us kept vigil while the other tried to sleep. I think we each got a couple hours. The couch I attempted to sleep on reminded me that I have the best bed in the history of beds. Mostly I learned that volunteering overnight at a homeless shelter involves lots of waiting for the morning. I did sermon work, read a bit, and finished one Sudoku puzzle in the hard category. Proud of myself on that last accomplishment.
The person at the shelter who intrigues me is one the others call “The Professor.” He does look like a college professor, with his white beard and pullover sweater. He subs as an English teacher at area schools during the day and returns to the shelter at night. He stacks his belongings neatly next to his blue cot. I’m sure he has a story. His circumstances now have simplified his life. He is Shakespeare’s classic “Unaccommodated Man.”
Other volunteers served breakfast for us this morning, each one made to order. They made me the best scrambled eggs I’ve ever had, with bits of steak and onion mixed in. Now it’s time to go home… to the best bed in the history of beds.
