https://www.facebook.com/bryanflintsr/posts/10151593286729751 

I had my first dream last night, where as I woke up, I fully remembered being there with my son but at the same time knowing that he wasn’t going to be with us much longer. It was painful to experience in lots of ways. Tomorrow, Sunday is the one month anniversary of his leaving us behind. It was an eerie dream, and very uncomfortable.

At his funeral I spoke and I was so distraught, that I made MANY comments I wish I hadn’t.  I can’t take them back, but I can try to apologize to those who I truly unintentionally offended. 

I won’t even mention names, that would make it worse, just PLEASE know that I’m truly sorry. TRULY. Bryan’s death hit me so hard, it would have been wiser for me to not even have spoken,…at all…

It’s a shame, that “words of wisdom” are expected at those times, trying to summarize a loved one’s life, at such a difficult time. Tragedy doesn’t follow a suitable schedule I guess.

What follows is what my second oldest daughter, Alexis Carmicheal wrote following my fiasco of an attempt to memorialize Bry.  I took out a few painful statements to protect my own shortcomings…  I'm weak.... very weak.

+++

Alexis wrote:

I would like to re-summarize what my father was trying to say in a more appropriate way.

Every relationship in our life shapes us, all in different ways.  Past relationships, even those that did not end well, still serve a purpose in creating our lives and who we are.  One such relationship created four amazing (obviously!) children.  Although the relationship itself was not meant to be, it brought Bryan to this world and we are all thankful for that. More relationships gave Bryan even more.  Throughout his life he gained brothers and a little sister.  He also gained additional parents and role models in the forms of Kim and Steve.  It doesn’t end there.  There are also many cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents that became part of Bryan’s family.  Every single one of these relationships was important to Bryan in different ways.  We all shaped Bryan’s life, as he shaped ours.

My mother had something to say tonight, that she just couldn’t.  I’m not sure if I will do her justice, but here it goes. Every one of you here tonight had a relationship either directly or indirectly with Bryan.  Like his family, you have each given shape to Bryan, as he has done to you.  He has touched all lives here in either small or large moments.  Through these relationships with all of you he will live on.

There are four generations represented here tonight and each of you fit into one.  Bryan’s grandparents and their generation are present and represent a simpler relationship where babies are born and grandparents rejoice and spend their time thinking how they will spoil them. 

Bryan’s parents and their generation are present and represent a love for their children all the while taking care of home, work and other obligations. They have many memories of Bryan growing from an infant to the man he became. 

Bryan’s siblings and our generation represent a changed world of technology that Bryan was born for.  We grew up together, had fun together, maybe even got in a little trouble together.  

The final generation is Bryan’s nieces and nephews…they hold an innocence and love for their uncle that no other can.  It is through all of these generations that we continue to remember Bryan and through us he will be given eternal life.  We must live on, so that Bryan will live on.

We will NEVER forget his life, but we will also NEVER surrender to his death.

Signed- Alexis Carmicheal

+++

Thank you for writing this Alexis, I love you and I’m so proud of you, your Dad.

I love all of you, especially my family and friends, who have mourned with us through this difficult time period. If we haven't acknowledged you personally yet, please be aware that we will in time.  It's been difficult.  Your outpourings of support that came in waves and still trickle in each day have meant a lot.  You have showed us your love in so many meaningful ways. 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

You can follow the words below.

(Yeah, I changed the name Vincent to Bryan for this to make sense.)

Starry starry night - Don McLean

Paint your palette blue and gray
Look out on a summer's day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul

Shadows on the hills

Sketch the trees and the daffodils
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
In colors on the snowy linen land

Now I understand
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They did not listen they did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now.

Starry starry night

Flaming flowers that brightly blaze
Swirling clouds in violet haze
Reflect in Bryan's eyes of china blue
Colors changing hue
Morning fields of amber grain
Weathered faces lined in pain
Are soothed beneath the artist's LOVING hand

Now I understand
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They did not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now

For they could not love you
But still your love was true
And when no hope was left inside
On that starry starry night

You lost your life as lovers often do

But I could have told you, Bryan,
This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you

Starry starry night

Portraits hung in empty halls
Frameless heads on nameless walls
With eyes that watch the world and can't forget
Like the strangers that you've met

The ragged men in ragged clothes
A silver thorn
A bloody rose
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow
Now I think I know
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen
They're not listening still

Perhaps they never will

In The Arms Of an Angel - Sarah McLaughlin

I woke up in extreme pain this morning thinking about my tasks for today.

Pietras Family Funeral Home is preparing Bryan's body for a private viewing for us alone  today.

When this was brought up at our first meeting with them I didn't agree that this should be done. I didn't need it, I didn't necessarily want to go through with it. I was concerned about any bad effects of this. I had spent a lot of time with him recently and I'd rather remember him full of life.  I could tell others wanted this course of action so I didn't protest loudly, but I stated my concerns. 

I was told that I didn't need to then. But I do, I want to share with everyone what they last see.  That will leave a lasting memory and I truly pray it was a good decision...

It was a good decision.  As difficult as it was, and as many tears and as much heart-ache as it brought for all of us, it felt necessary when it was done. I think it was the most difficult moment in my life to date.

It was a time when our entire family got a little closer.  Why do we always have to wait until these moments happen to us to learn?

I woke up peacefully this morning and started running through what I had to do today. At the service tonight, The family is going to share thoughts.  Those who know me, I could ramble on for hours and never get to the point.  As significant as a time like this, how does one condense all you want to say in just a few minutes?

I then went to my e-mail inbox and saw my daily reminder that is sent to me from my calendar program. "You have no events scheduled today." Oh how I wish that was accurate...

Looking back on the memory of
The dance we shared 'neath the stars above
For a moment all the world was right
How could I have known that you'd ever say goodbye?

And now I'm glad I didn't know
The way it all would end, the way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance
I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance

Holding you, I held everything
For a moment, wasn't I a king?
But if I'd only known how the king would fall
Hey, who's to say? You know I might have changed it all

And now I'm glad I didn't know
The way it all would end, the way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance
I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance

Yes my life is better left to chance
I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7FRbeaXjvk

Night Time Conversations About the Universe

My fondest memories

 It was funny to me that Bryan often expressed his wonder if I was still with him since he told me that most conversations he’d have in this regard would result in eyes glazed over and an absence of presence . I loved these conversations because like him I rarely could find people who were of the same mind and enjoyed the creative thinking and exploration of the relationships that physics have when it comes to the relationship of the inner workings of the systems on our planet and beyond. We often look past them because we operate within them naturally. Some of us stop to smell the roses and others stop to smell the physics….

This I think was what was so appealing to Bryan. The fact that everything that we are surrounded by operates within quantifiable parameters and when broken down into its individual parts much like the atomic structure of a particle can be reassembled in its larger form having its parts resembling layers of patterns that shape its overall function, the relationship of its form characterized by viewpoint relative to distance as it relates to time, was fundamental to Bryan. 

I often forgot that he was just 25 years young and was amazed that he was exploring such mature topics. It’s no wonder that eyes were of a glaze. His mind and his willingness to allow the unbelievable to be within his grasp together with his insatiable drive to know the meaning of it all made Bryan such a beautiful individual. His creativity of thinking and his consciousness in observation is what I think allowed him to have such an incredible and poignant outlook. I can’t imagine what Bryan would have become if his lifetime was extended beyond his short 25 years. He was a brilliant mind and his work and ideas will live beyond his years. I love him and what we shared together….

Thank you Bryan.

Posted by Greg Nickel

Tuesday July 2, 2013 at 12:09 am

Forever and Always

Bryan taught me unconditional love. In the 3 beautiful years we spent together, Bryan loved me like no other. He made me feel beatific and free. He made me laugh uncontrollably, cry with passion, and love like I've never loved before. 

Bry, I miss you more than I can ever explain. I am not ready to say goodbye. I hope as time goes by the pain will ease. Please know I loved you so much. I always will. 

Forever and always Your baby Jackie

Posted by Jackie Eriksson

Saturday July 6, 2013 at 4:37 pm

In Memory of Bryan Smith Flint, Jr.
1988 - 2013

http://smallandpietrasfuneralhome.com/book-of-memories/1623241/Flint-Jr-Bryan/obituary.php

Bryan Smith Flint, Jr. 25, of Ellington died Friday, June 28, 2013 quietly in his sleep. Bryan was born on March 27, 1988 in Rockville, CT. Bryan graduated from Ellington High School in 2006. He had a strong passion for music, art, computer technology and loved his family dearly. He will be sincerely missed. His best quality was his compassion. Bry Bry, as he was affectionately known by his family, leaves behind his parents; Penny Hunter Zuidema and Steven Zuidema and Bryan Flint, Sr. and Kimberly Sardilli Flint, and his grandparents; Merlyn Hart, Bee Flint and Buddy and Marilyn Zuidema. He is also missed dearly by his siblings; Melissa Flint and her husband Thomas Tischofer, Alexis Flint Carmicheal, Mystica Flint Schaub and her husband Charles Schaub, Jesse Mack, Alexander Mack and Cassi Flint. He was a beloved uncle to Aiden, Jenna, Thomas, Nathan, Josephine, Evalee, Bonnie and Charlie. He also leaves behind many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Friends. Relatives and friends may join the family on Tuesday, July 2, 2013 from 4-6 PM at the Burke-Fortin Funeral Home, 76 Prospect Street, Rockville, CT 06066. A Memorial Service will follow at 6pm. Burial will be private. Donations in his name can be made to The Cornerstone Foundation in Rockville, 15 Prospect Street, P.O. Box 2036, Rockville, CT 06066. For online condolences, please visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com

Condolences

www.smallandpietrasfuneralhome.com/book-of-memories/1623241/Flint-Jr-Bryan/view-condolences.php  

Condolence From: Mrs. Gene Bolles
Condolence: Bryan and Family: So sorry to hear of the loss of your son, Bryan. May you find comfort in God's love during this most difficult time. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Loretta Bolles
Sunday July 07, 2013

Condolence From: Scott N McConnell Sr
Condolence: Greetings, My name is Scott and I knew Bryan from the Motel 6. I just want to express my deepest sympathy on the passing of your Son. Bryan was a wonderful young man with a great gift of compassion and always had a way of making me laugh just when I needed one. He will be truly missed. Sincerely yours, Scott N McConnell Sr
Wednesday July 03, 2013

Condolence From: Leslie V. Sherman
Condolence: Dear Bryan and family, I am so very sorry to hear of Bryan's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Tuesday July 02, 2013

Condolence From: Trish Buchanan
Condolence: Dear Bryan and Family, Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the loss of your son. My heart is broken for you. With thoughts of peace and courage for you, Trish Buchanan
Tuesday July 02, 2013

Condolence From: Tracey LaRock
Condolence: Penny and Steve, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Tuesday July 02, 2013

Condolence From: Caroline Roberts Jordan
Condolence: I'm so sorry for your loss. My heart and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. 
Tuesday July 02, 2013

Condolence From: Missy Putman
Condolence: My heart aches for you all in this overwhelming loss. The pictures with Bryan's infectious smile embody my mental image of him -- his smile had a way, from the time he was a small boy, of bringing instant joy and a sense of adventure to anyone gazing upon it. All of my love, Missy.
Tuesday July 02, 2013

Condolence From: Don and Diane Sardilli
Condolence: Diane and I were deeply saddened to here about the passing of Bryan Jr. All of the Flint family will be in ours prayers today. I believe that Bryan Jr. is in the arms of the angels today and with GOD in heaven. Hoping you find some comfort in that today. Bryan and Kim ,be as strong as you can as the rest of the family needs you now. Our deepest sympathies go out ot you and all the Flint family. Don and Diane Sardilli
Tuesday July 02, 2013

Condolence From: Maryann & Ron Levesque
Condolence: To The Flint Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May the happy memories remain with you always. Love, Maryann & Ron
Monday July 01, 2013

Condolence From: Christie Holmquist
Condolence: I had the pleasure of meeting Bryan several months ago , we were talking about computer technology systems, I could tell how much he loved what he was doing. I am so sorry to hear of your loss and I am glad to have gotten to meet him. A young man that will truly be missed.
Monday July 01, 2013

Condolence: Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during such a difficult time. 
Condolence From: Sue Wellner Mintz and family
Monday July 01, 2013

Condolence: We were saddened to learn of Bryan's death and want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Condolence From: The Rev. and Mrs. Robert Wellner
Monday July 01, 2013

Condolence: Brian and family, we are so deeply saddened by your loss. Our prayers go out to all of you. 
Condolence From: Marcia, Sonny, and Hayley Hesse
Monday July 01, 2013

Condolence: Brain and family, I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers wil be with your family during this difficult time. 
Condolence From: Julie Gebhardt
Monday July 01, 2013

Condolence: Bryan - We are so sorry for your loss. To lose a child at such a young age must be heartbreaking.
Condolence From: Joan & John Summers
Monday July 01, 2013

Condolence: Bryan and Alexis I am so sorry for your loss and the loss to your family. There are no words. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. 
Condolence From: Maryann Fusco-Rollins
Monday July 01, 2013

Condolence: Dearest Penny, Our deepest and most heartfelt sympathy to you my dear cousin and to all of your family. You are in our hearts, our thoughts and our prayers. All our love, Brenda and Moe 
Condolence From: Brenda & Moe Paquin
Monday July 01, 2013

Condolence: So very sorry Bryan.
Condolence From: Scott Sharkey
Monday July 01, 2013

Condolence: Bryan and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in your time of grief. May the pain of your loss subside over time and it be replaced with the joy of having so special a young man grace your lives, and our lives, for a short while. Our lives are the better for it. May God bless you and keep you close. Penny and Brian 
Condolence From: Penny and Brian Motola
Sunday June 30, 2013

Condolence: I am so terribly sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. May you draw strength from the love of your Family and friends and may your memories comfort you like the warmth of a blanket that surrounds you.
Condolence From: Karen A. Coté
Sunday June 30, 2013

Condolence: Dear Brian & family, very sorry to hear of your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Condolence From: Jeanne (Parady) DeMerchant
Sunday June 30, 2013

Condolence: Bryan, My prayers are with you.
Condolence From: Teri Rogers
Sunday June 30, 2013

Condolence: Our hearts and prayers go out to all of you. Love, Judi and Reggie
Condolence From: Reggie and Judi Parady
Sunday June 30, 2013

Condolence: I am deeply sorry to hear about the loss of Bryan. May the love of those around you help you in the days ahead.
Condolence From: Christine Daigle
Sunday June 30, 2013

Condolence: You have stayed with us such a short time. You will be missed by so many. I will see you again. RIP honey. 
Condolence From: Peg McGee
Sunday June 30, 2013

Condolence: Our thoughts and Prayers go out to your family. May the faith you have in God bring you some peace in this difficult time and in the future
Condolence From: LaRocca Family
Sunday June 30, 2013

Condolence: Our prayers are with you and your family. May our faith help keep you strong. You will be united again.
Condolence From: Pam & Tom DiDio
Sunday June 30, 2013

Condolence: I am very sorry for your loss - keeping all of you in my prayers.
Condolence From: Lil (Peterson) Eastman
Sunday June 30, 2013

Condolence: Keeping your family in our prayers. We didn't know Bryan Jr., but if he was anything like his father, he was a wonderful young man and we are very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. 
Condolence From: Edie & Lance Chernack
Sunday June 30, 2013

Condolence: We who all worked with Bryan will miss him. Please accept our sincerest condolences.
Condolence From: Michele Weller
Saturday June 29, 2013

Condolence: So sad & sorry to hear of your loss. Please let us know if there's anything we can do or help. Our thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. 
Condolence From: Bill & Mel Metzger
Saturday June 29, 2013

Condolence: We are so sorry to hear of Bryan's death. We're praying that the Lord's presence will be especially close during this difficult time. 
Condolence From: Dennis and Sandra Gladden
Saturday June 29, 2013

Condolence: My most sincere condolences to you all. I will never forget Bryan's dedication to his family, and his love of making people laugh. God Bless. 
Condolence From: Stacy Beaupre Zevetchin
Saturday June 29, 2013

Condolence: To Penny, Liss, Alexis and the rest of the family - our hearts go out to you in this time of loss. We are hoping that happy memories carry you through the difficult times. 
Condolence From: Dot and Mark Drobney
Saturday June 29, 2013

click to enlarge pictures

Linda Prout - 
Director, Beat of the Street 

Charter Oak Cultural Center
21 Charter Oak Avenue
Hartford, Connecticut 06106
p 860.310-2591 direct line

P 860.310-2580 business line

Extension 1010

f 860.524.8014

linda.prout@charteroakcenter.org 
www.charteroakcenter.org 

  



Charter Oak Cultural Center, a beautiful historic landmark and vibrant arts center, contributes to the revitalization of Hartford by bringing the community together through open and equal access to the arts, with a deep commitment to social justice.

Beat of The Street

The article below was from the Winter edition of 2013-2014

2013 HARTFORD HOMELESS MEMORIAL SERVICE

By Sarah Ratchford

On December 21^{st ,}  a beautiful and sunny day, the Hartford Homeless Memorial Service was held at Center Church on Main Street in Hartford. The service is an annual event that is always held on the longest night of the year. Community organizations, activists and humanitarians who organize and participate in this service feel that people who had no permanent homes when they were alive deserve to be recognized and respected because most of them had given up hope in their final days and died alone.

The program included songs that had words so deep they brought tears to people’s eyes, like the songs “Lean on Me” and “Amazing Grace.” There were also several thought provoking poems and heart-felt speeches. The name of each person who had passed was said then a bell was rung. I was touched most by very moving words from Mr. Bryan Flint, director of a homeless shelter, who was one of the big-hearted people involved in helping put the service and program together. Bryan’s 25 year old son, Bryan Junior, was one of the people who was memorialized.

 After the speeches were given and contributors where thanked, we walked outside and stood on the church steps, where we held up signs, each printed with the name of a person we had come together to memorialize.  We lit a few sparklers then touched the person’s sparker next to us in order to pass the flame on. Bryan chose sparklers instead of candles because his son liked them. After the service we gathered in the church for refreshments. Gift bags with donations like hats and gloves, just to name a few, were handed out.

I told Bryan that I was very touched by what he was able to do. I told him that I felt God had given him something extra, and that as a parent myself, I don’t feel that I would have been able to get up and speak in front of people so soon after the death of my child.  Bryan lost his son in June.

This is the third homeless memorial service that I have attended.  I feel that it would have been great to have city and government officials in attendance. We were told that the 43 homeless people who died in 2013 was more than in 2012.  I am writing this in the first half of January and the weather so far this year has brought record low temperatures.  One beloved member of the BOTS team who was on the street ended up in the hospital with hypothermia. A close call! That should shout out loud and clear that we need to END HOMELESSNESS NOW!!!!

Sarah Ratchford

Memorial Service - Hartford 2013

Saturday, December 21^st, 11:00am until 1:00pm. The First Church of Christ in Hartford, Main & Gold Streets, Hartford, Connecticut  06103. Join the national movement to honor those we’ve lost and shine a light on the unjust impact of homelessness. Hosted by Faces of Homelessness – Hartford, CT and Connecticut Homeless Human Rights Campaign

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If I tear up, and my voice trembles, it’s because one of the people we are remembering today is my son, Bryan, Flint, Jr.

Speakers often quote others in their speeches. I’d like to quote a few.

The shortest verse in the Bible.  When Jesus went to the tomb of Lazarus, even though he knew he would raise him from the dead, gives us the shortest verse in the Bible.   John 11:35 “Jesus wept.” So as a follower of my Lord Jesus Christ, if I tear up, it’s just me being Christ-like!

I have such mixed feelings about standing here today addressing all of you at this solemn ceremony. I’m probably in a somewhat unique role, as both the Director of a Homeless shelter run by the Cornerstone Foundation in Rockville, which I’m very thankful to be, but also as a father whose 25 year old son died this past June, alone in a motel room, a few short days after we told him that he wasn’t going to be able to live with us at home any longer. The night he died, was the last night his boss was allowing him to stay in one of the motel rooms where he worked, that they had that were unoccupied.  She had been generous allowing him to stay there about three nights in between his shifts at the motel. 

This was going to be his last night though, but at midnight when he didn’t show up for his shift, they found him in the room, alone, no longer alive.  It was later determined to be a brain aneurysm.  He didn’t commit suicide like I first thought, but he did have a role in getting himself to this point.  He was abusing the high energy drink Red Bull and taking other substances to get him through his last few days. “I’m really stressed out” was one of the last messages he texted me, and then “they’re letting me stay another night.” He was hurt, he felt rejected, he was lonely.

If I think back just one year ago, life was so different for me and my family. I had never dreamed of working in a homeless shelter, much less being the director of one and I was the father of 5 children, 4 girls and a son, two step sons and grandfather of 8. All of them healthy and full of life. A year later I now have 9 grandkids, 10 on the way, but my son, Bryan Jr., is no longer with us. He passed away June 27^th 2013 of a brain aneurysm. That’s an important detail.  People try to comfort me when they know how guilty I feel about all of this. They say, no one can predict when a brain aneurysm strikes, it could of have happened when he was still staying at your house. I say yes, but if it did have to happen, it would have been more comforting for me, if it did happen when he was surrounded by family, not when he was in a lonely motel room.

The reason we choose December 21^st… Winter solstice Shortest day of the year, which then means the longest night of the year.

It’s fitting since it’s the night that causes the most stress and anxiety, where will I sleep tonight, will I even wake up?  It’s also one of the loneliest moments.

Bryan, Jr. he had been going through a lot of problems in his life.  He was always torn between making tough decisions.  I first noticed it when his mother and I got divorced when he was just 6 years old.  I saw his pain when he had to go from one parent to the other.  He wanted the two parents he had. He had trouble deciding who he wanted to be with, if he had to choose between us.  It was a divided loyalty that no one, especially no child should have to go through. I saw it become a struggle for him often.

Even my decision to talk today, had me worried and extremely concerned.  I consider that my son died while homeless, but there are those close to him that don’t even feel comfortable admitting that Bry was homeless.  Why would that even be an issue?  Is it because we as family could have done more?  I’ve had and constantly have those woulda’ could’a should’a, moments. They hurt, BAD!

To this day,… to this very moment, you don’t know the pain I still have from my decisions.  He needed protection, he needed love.  I feel I failed him…, miserably. We all feel we make mistakes.  Many mistakes we can start over from, but not when death is involved though. How can I even think I care about others, if I couldn’t even protect my own son when he needed me the most. I hurt, I even feel embarrassed. They say that’s the way the “enemy” of our soul works, by attacking us with doubts of our worthiness.

As I thought about what I was going to say, it occurred to me, maybe that is the big issue.  Are we incapable of doing the right thing, if we feel embarrassed?  So what’s really worse, being homeless, or allowing homelessness because we deny it exists? It should embarrass us, as family members, as a society, as fellow human-beings.

I can’t change what happened to my son. I would do anything to have another chance to help him, but I can’t, nobody can.  But there is one thing I can do, and that is to do all I can within my power to prevent  others from going through the same thing. Will it be easy, no, but is it possible?  I believe it could be, if we all worked together.  The problem seems huge, but is it? I took some calculations, and while homelessness affects so many people, if you break down the numbers, it’s not that difficult to grasp.

I learned a long time ago, that we have to learn to ask the right question, if we really want to solve problems.

In CT, there are an estimated 4,500 homeless people and 2,500 congregations; churches, synagogues, temples, etc.  If you divide the number homeless into the number of congregations, that’s less than 2 homeless people per congregation to help out. So, why is it acceptable to allow people to live outdoors in the woods or under bridges, but we couldn’t put up two trailers on each church property.  We aren’t “zoned” for that?  What laws allow us to choose to have a type of zoning to supposedly help society, but we turn our backs on the homeless living outdoors.  Are we zoned for that???

We need a common vision. Can we agree that forcing people to live in homeless shelters is acceptable or not?  If not, then we need to decide if it’s worth changing, and determining what we find acceptable. 

We have to define homelessness.  Is it lack of housing?  For the person or family? Are there empty houses around?  Of course there are!  If there are empty houses and apartment buildings, and we pay incredibly amounts of money for programs to help the homeless, why don’t we employ the homeless that can work, fix up the empty buildings and allow them to live there!  That’s not rocket science, that’s common-sense, which by the way is not that common!

Or is the argument, whether people deserve a home or not? Is that still in question? You can simply decide if it’s right or wrong, morally?  Do you need to be a religious person to know right from wrong?  No, it’s obvious.

If you do have a religious or faith-based moral compass, what does the Bible say? 

Parable of the Sheep & Goats.  

Matthew 25:31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, "Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' 37 Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' 40 And the king will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, "You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' 44 Then they also will answer, "Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' 45 Then he will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Seems pretty clear to me, least what is expected of those who call ourselves, Christians! 

What is the goal of many homeless people these days?  To get a job and then a home?  Or to get disability and a subsidized home? How many Americans are “disabled” these days? Too many!  Many have been homeless and forgotten and eventually needed medications to numb their pain, and now really do have a problem trying to work. But they aren’t hopeless. There is always hope.

There are so many resources but often they aren’t connected properly.  We need to get rid of pride, we need to become more efficient, work together better and we need to harness the technology around us. 

From the Old Testament, Micah 6:8  And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. 

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke 17000’s)

Just as today, is the longest night of the year, and we use this fact to remember those who have passed away.  I think my son, no, I know my son Bryan Jr., would want me to stand up for him, and do whatever is humanly possible to end homelessness. There is not a thing I can do to help him now, but I believe that he would want us to work together in his memory and in memory for all the others we are honoring today.

So yes, this is the shortest daylight of the year, but you know why tomorrow is so important?  Because the days are going to start getting longer.  We can choose to mourn those who have passed away and languish in that sorrow, or we can acknowledge how unfair society has been treating the homeless and use this day as a new beginning, to refocus all of our energies in a positive direction and truly honor our friends and loved ones. 

I know what I need to do for my son and others, how about you? Are you with me!?