This past week in the classroom we had spent time presenting information from our readings. My reading was the text entitled “Grand Central Winter”. The text recounts a personal struggle felt by a man who faced hardships and living on the street. His recount depicts the very real experiences felt on the streets of New York. The story follows his decent to the bottom and his wavering path back to himself again. He begins his fall with the death of his business partner and his brother, which quickly leads him into alcoholism and drug abuse. His always changing living conditions and constant struggles to stay one step ahead of police are a strong thread throughout the text. Lee finally begins to hit his stride when he develops a passion for writing and regains some of his entrepreneurial and passionate spirits. He struggles with getting and staying drug-free but prevails against all adversity and all obstacles in place trying to keep him down.

While discussing the text in class, it became apparent that the text was just a single example of how many have fallen down the path headed towards the streets. It was discussed that this is being the only text and understanding about the cause of homelessness, would not give a clear reality. The reality is that the road to the streets is not one set in stone. Making specific decisions does depict that homelessness would be the end result or a sure-fire way to stay off them. But in actuality, homelessness can happen to anyone, anywhere and anyhow. This a fact that can connect all of our fears or realities to each other. We try to make the best choices possible but cataclysmic results are always a possibility.