A man and his lady live by the LA River. They have found a nice spot under a shady tree. They do not own a traditional home but they have decorated this spot under the tree. I wave at them when I walk by on my daily hikes. They always wave back. Until today. 1/

Today, the woman was asleep on the ground in a sleeping bag. The man was sitting on a milk crate looking at her. So, I kept walking. He chased after me. I was listening to music so I didn't hear him at first. When I did, I turned. He was out of breath. I said, I'm sorry. 2/

I had my headphones on. He just looked at me. His expression was of deep pain. I said, are you okay? He said nothing, but his eyes brimmed with intelligence and of tears. I said, do you need to talk? Again, he just looked at me in utter pain but with no words. 3/

So I said, my name is Katherine. What's your name? He said, Jamie. I said again, do you need to talk? We can sit down. He said, I need to cry. I said, I understand. So do I. Then we just stood there. Not sitting. Not crying. Just understanding. 4/

Finally, I said, I will check on you tomorrow. He looked at me once last time, then turned away and starting walking back to his lady and his makeshift home under a tree by a river. I'm home now and I've sitting here in my traditional house very moved by this encounter. 5/

I grew up in a home with little money and a lot of alcoholism and abuse. Jamie was not drunk. He did not appear to be an addict. He was clean, kind, intelligent. I don't know his story. I only know his lady was asleep in the middle of the day and he ached to tell me something. 6/

I was taken back to my own childhood. Sneaking out o the house when the screaming started and sleeping on lawn furniture in neighbor's backyards. When I was asked if I wanted to talk, I said nothing. I waited until I grew old enough to board a bus and leave that town. 7/

I've come to learn we recognize each other. Those of us who've travelled the path of dysfunction and pain. Of growing up to fast. Of circumstances beyond our control. Of adults averting their eyes and turning their heads. 8/

Tomorrow, I will check on Jamie. Today, I will wonder why we discard people like soiled clothes. Today, I will wonder why those with so much make sure others have so little. Today, I will wonder why we all don't cry when we see people sleeping by the river or on lawn furniture. /