A Letter From (Homeless) Dave

Dave’s handwritten note to you, his “Team Dave”

As you may know, it has been a few weeks since I last saw Dave. (If you haven’t been following his story, you can start reading about it here.)

Suddenly, and without warning, I lost contact with him. Life has been so busy with travel, work, and family, that I haven’t been able to get out on the streets and look for him — until today.

I spent about 2 hours searching Santa Ana and Costa Mesa, driving, parking, and walking around spots I recall him speaking about. I looked under bridges, behind buildings, and in parking lots. I drove around in circles, wondering, praying, and asking for guidance to find a needle in the haystack of a busy city.

About to give up, I decided to look in the parking lot of a Starbucks we’ve sometimes met. I parked, and walked around, hoping for something.

I suddenly remembered

that he sometimes worked for a florist located in the same shopping center. I found a lady working there, but she spoke no English and couldn’t answer my questions. Bummer!

Dejected, I turned around to leave.

Suddenly, I saw something move across the street. I looked again, and couldn’t believe my eyes.

Dave — waving at me! In a city with hundreds of thousands of people, what are the chances of being on the right street, at the right time?

After making his way across the street, we embraced. Long story short, Dave lost his belongings, and with them, my phone number. The city has cleaned out his spot a number of times, and unfortunate side-effect of his situation.

Dave seemed tired and worn out, but happy to see me. Oh, and he gave me this letter to give to you …

February 21, 2013

Hi!

My name is David.

If you are reading this you already know me, so I’ll spare you the details of introduction.

I am in a foul mood! This has been a rough, lonely week. My makeshift shelter was ransacked and cleared out by the city recently. I lost all my meager possessions but that is far from the worst effect the sacking has caused.

I lived with two other homeless gentlemen. They are brothers. Very reliable and trustworthy for “street people” (like me). Most of all though they are my friends and it is simply much safer and comfortable — as far as that can be — on the streets as a group.

I have been alone since the event. My safety net and comfort zone has disappeared. Therefore my mood and sleep have suffered greatly. My patience has also been tried. As you know and for many of you I have this to thank, I am waiting for my ID to come in the mail. I want it NOW! After over a year out here knowing the end is near has me restless waiting on the DMV and US Postal Service. Then my perspective changes to gratitude and awe for all the strangers that have given a despairing man a world of hope and a renewed love for humanity I had almost completely lost.

The love, prayers, and support shown me since my meeting Dave and through him, allowing God into my life and wonderful even if sometimes overwhelming and incomprehensible.

Thank you all so very much for giving my heart and soul a light to see with. God is great. So are you. Amazing. I love you all. Thank you.

Your brother, David

He asked that I post this for you to read. He still has hope!

I looked on streets, behind buildings, and in parking lots

There were people everywhere. It was hard to drive and look at the same time

This is where the florist is. I almost gave up, but it’s from right here that I noticed someone waving at me front across the street!

Dave’s note to you, front

Dave’s note to you, back