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James Kimo Rosen is the Blogger-n-chief
of dakinetalk blog and lives on the cosmic island of Kaua'i with his spiritual advisor Obama Da Dog! |
This blog also appeared as an opinion article in the Christmas 2015 edition of The Garden Island News!
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-dec/article_48cdcaaf-4b0b-5719-b4c8-ed35b0f9a60e.html
I go to Kapaa Burger King 3-5 times a week to get a diet coke,and one of those times I will treat myself to french fries and use the free WiFi and just relax. I find it one of the most inviting places on the cosmic Garden isle.
They have an area of which I refer to as the 'VIP lounge,' there are four large easy type chairs and a couple small tables located away from the main seating area.
This area is highly attractive to the homeless, maybe that's why I like it, after all, I too was house-less for 7 years.
There was this man named 'Lester' that hung out there on a daily basis. I would talk story with Lester and he always had something to say about everything, usually negative.
Lester had disability for something from the VA and said he could afford a $500-600 a month to rent a room. I told him check Craigslist. He doesn't know how to use the computer and had to much anxiety to ask the librarian for assistance on the free computers.
I started printing out Craigslist rooms for rent, he would call but the room was always taken, so he said?
The last time I saw Lester, he did not look good and was complaining he was tired. I said do you want me to call 911 for you? "No!" I said you need to check into Mahelona, (the closest hospital.) He had a negative excuse, "you can't just check into a hospital," he said.
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| My friend 'Lester' at Burger King 3 days before he passed away. |
I said, brah, you don't look good. I gave him a few coupons I had for a free french fry and ice cream. I was looking for a cop on the way home to tell them they should check on this guy, I never found the cop.
I did find on the front page of the Garden Island news on Tuesday December 8, 2015, that a 62 year old homeless man was found dead in front of a business he slept at.
http://thegardenisland.com/news/local/body-found-in-kapaa/article_1c4a0906-9d6f-11e5-a627-4750d068739d.html
That man was Lester. I wish I could had done more, it was so obvious this man was in need.
I am not a trained professional, this man was highly visible in the public eye--if only myself or someone else had stepped up. I am starting to think what Lester really needed was a friend.
I am going to try and step up and make someone in need my friend. I cannot bring back Lester, but I can shed a tear, hoping he knew somebody cared.
Lesson learned;
All of us need to step up and make someone in need our friend. Many times they don't want money or food , just someone to talk to, who will will listen and care.
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| This meme was published on Facebook to help promote this blog! |
Editor's note,
Lester's name was officially released after contacting the next of kin;
http://thegardenisland.com/news/local/kapaa-body-identified/article_be61452c-be7b-5407-a2c5-45a4014e4493.html
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| James "Kimo" Rosen ~ 1976~ Santa Barbara~ Photo courtesy of John Franssen |
Editors note, The photos below were created with photos I took on an iPhone using an app called PIP!
12 comments:
Very sad story but oh so rrue
Shalom Rabbi :
You are a good human being,das Y unc love U :-*
Unc
"If we don't take care of our body, what are we going to live in?" Jean Bornell 1995
IQ of a pencil eraser?????
OMG. You were his friend. I agree with you on all counts. What sadness. Thank goodness you were there to talk with him. He's not hurting anymore.
That's too bad...our own veterans should come first always!
So sad about Lester. It is good you were there for him.
I wish I had opened up my heart more to him, live and learn...
As a Speech Pathologist, my favorite therapy was voice therapy with adults. I worked with people so tense they could sustain "aaaaah" for only 6 seconds (20 is average). If they did my exercises, they learned to relax, breath, sleep better, and feel better too. This often became life changing! Those that just couldn't find the time would show a little progress from the actual sessions and at least become more educated about their disorder. I learned that a therapist cannot MAKE anybody do something. This is also the inherent difficulty in homelessness.
Without a crisis in progress, the police would have only done less than you did. You gave the best advise and feedback you could plus resourses that are important to you! The choice became his as a result. You get a "Well done!" from me!
What a lovely way to remember someone. Strive to do a little something nice for someone else and you will have honored his memory.
Aloha Kimo:
Fine story about the homeless man and so sad. This homeless problem has been on going since I came to Kauai 26 years ago and it is a shame that our "leaders" refuse to do something about it. Even with the homeless right in their front yard they just ignore it.
glenn
Beautiful letter to the newspaper, Kimo. You were his friend, as much as he had the ability to accept. You let him know you cared for him.
Thanks for letting everyone know that dead body found once belonged to a human being, just like the rest of us. Excellent writing!
I’ll text you when we return home to Kauai.
Aloha,
Pam
RIP Lester..
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