Kayla's Blessing

Winter Storm Kayla

Snow. Yay! Snow day. A blessing!

The storm, a blessing? Maybe not, but true blessings are only possible in the face of adversity!

The adversity

Roads are difficult. Snow robs my vehicle's tires of their traction.

Slow driving is the safest speed, yet also the most treacherous. Braking from 5 mph to zero gives my car the most difficulty and often creates hazards. Several times I ended my skid too far out into an intersection or rudely close to the car in front of me.

A heroine

Hills are often hard to gauge. I saw this unassuming climb defeat many vehicles in the afternoon, including a metropolitan bus. A lady passenger exited and directed traffic at the intersection, for the bus to retreat its along course in reverse. A heroine!

Yellow bus (left) is unable to climb the slope

The sanctuaries

Options for shelter in inclement weather are limited.

All the places taking your money are still open. All the places giving free services are closed.

A matter of priorities

Walmart is unaffected by the storm. The store stayed open 24 hours through the night. McDonald's and similar fast food joints are open for business as usual.

(Though, here in downtown Colorado Springs, the electrical outlets at the restaurants have been removed to prevent loitering. Sadly for me, the strategy works.)

All public libraries, schools, and universities: closed. Understandable. Non-essential activities should be avoided in dangerous driving conditions. But what about social services for the homeless? During a storm, you would expect that shelters and aid centers would be out in full force, to make their strongest effort when those without homes need it most.

Helping when it's convenient?

Was the ESM open? Nope. ESM (Ecumenical Social Ministries), the combined collective center of all local churches assistance to the homeless, was closed during the winter storm.

This is how the organization describes itself:

"Colorado Springs Ecumenical Social Ministries (ESM) was established as a nonprofit organization in 1982 by eight large downtown churches. Considered an outreach extension for the community, ESM responds to the emergency social service needs of low-income, homeless and unemployed individuals and families in Colorado Springs." - their website

Sounds noble right? They should've added to that description '... except when inconvenient'. Eight large churches, and not one member on staff during an actual emergency to help the homeless? 

What was their justification? Underneath their closure announcement, a disclaimer was written in fine print. 'Hey, we close when the school district does'. Right, 'cause how does kids staying home from school lessen the needs of homeless people!? Faggots. No mention of where else to turn for help either... shows how much they care.

F for effort.

A week prior, a local librarian and long time resident of the Springs had revealed to me the real reason ESM was set up. Homeless were getting duplicate, and triplicate assistance from visiting multiple churches. When churches realized this, they banded together to fund a separate establishment for the homeless to go to. This would effectively reduce the burden on each church, maintain security on their premises, and keep beggars out of their place of worship.

The blessing

Fortunately, the Marion House soup kitchen was open.

Not surprisingly, the staff was sparse. Many people called out from work, but the noble employees who came ensured that the shelter could open and allow the storm's survivors respite from their battle.

Outside, security workers shoveled the walks where the homeless lined up to enter the building. How considerate!

Spare articles of clothing were handed out to refugees. A double pair of gloves. A broad, sheltering scarf. Enough to forgive naked palms and a tender neck of their vulnerability.

A free clothing box guarding the entrance put up an additional but modest selection of armor which had been picked through. One water-proof jacket and a pair of long pants awaited adoption.

Inside, I was served a hot meal by a troop of elderly volunteers. If they could get here, no excuse for anyone else!

'My kids are my excuse'

Oh I see, you have to stay home, because you have children to take care of? I saw a Tibetan clothing shop owner bring her two kids (8 to 10 years of age) to the store, and they were outside shoveling the sidewalks.

Who would even patronize her shop in this weather!? She could've used the excuse that she couldn't make it to work because of the weather, and having kids to take care of. But she was at work, because she needed the money... just a matter of priorities.

The struggle

At the soup kitchen, I overheard stories of personal struggles with the inclement weather. Several men reported laying atop the snowy ground during night, in a sleeping bag or tent, having their body heat melt the snow while they slept, and waking up drenched in a puddle.

A woman, soaked from head to toe in aforementioned fashion, recalled her slippery descent from her tent site and hour long walk to the soup kitchen. She held a swollen, dislocated finger away from her surroundings. I learned about her distress were she to fall, and instinctively reach out her wounded hand to lessen the impact, that she might lose that brave, well-meaning finger.

'I was thinking how to land on my shoulder or my back, if I fell.'

Despite her hunger and medical needs, the woman's first priority was using the bathroom. This simple necessity was hindered by a slow moving line of homeless, who used the privacy of the lavatories as a temporary hotel room.

The frustration

Strenuous conditions brought out negative emotions in the clients. Men found opportunities to lash out at each other and vent their various spleens over insignificant misgivings. A talkative man disposed to expounding on his conspiracies and politics over lunch was rebuked with disgust by a succession of adjacent diners. Measured personal insults were exchanged between parties; these men knew each other from past brush ups at the shelters, and physical discomfort from the storm brought their mutual dislike to a head.

The talkative man outed out one of his haters as a 'Silly Billy', a man who earned a Master's degree yet would not even turn in an a job application to a place as easy for him to find employment as McDonald's. This 'Billy', I would surmise later, was one in the habit of leaning on his education to despise his peers. Billy had his own world view agenda to expound upon - much like the talkative man, and in return, his own following of detractors.

While in line for the lavatory hotel rooms, a 'Sasquatch' approached Billy who laid on the floor ahead of me. He had a mane of red, untamed hair about his chin and rising atop his tall head. Knowing the Billy's penchant for thinking highly of himself, the self-nicknamed Sasquatch seized upon this opportunity to humor Billy's complaints against the World and entertain himself by protracting Billy's ridiculous claims. I observed his game with visible delight.

'Most of this country has a fifth grade education. That's why nobody can get anything right. People are idiots. Not countries like Germany, ...' spoke Disdain.

'You always know what's best, you've got all the solutions! That's we ought to do... call up Germany, and have them tell us what to do!' mocked Folly.

Billy was not having a great day. It would get worse. Ultimately, one grave personal affront tipped the proverbial straw upon the camel's back. Despite his claim to education, Billy was emotionally a child. One among the many adults who behaved as children today.

While in the lavatory hotel, Billy's meditation was disrupted by a strong volley of knocks delivered by a member of those in waiting. Billy stormed out, fuming at his instigator.

'If you say even a word to me, we can finish this outside right now!' affronted Rashness.

'I thought you were coming out' confounded Excuse.

Empty threats, but capable of drawing strained men into a prideful exchange that could escalate to action.

A hero

A social worker, saw the need for a designated adult to disperse the convening of personal politics.

'Hey, there's not to be any of this here. No need for this. Nothing happened here. Relax.'

A hero!