Homeless

Jim is seen every morning at McDonald's. He gets the sausage, egg, & cheese biscuit, 2 for $1, and coffee. He eats one biscuit and saves the other for his small dog, waiting in his old van outside. A nice, quiet, gentile little dog that does not bark. Jim gets an income as a photographer by selling his photos to St Augustine tourists. He is about 68 years old, grey hair, thin build and intelligent. He has lived for 15 years at Pacetti's Trailer Park, about 7 miles from Green Cove Springs and drives in every day to McDonald's. The trip from there to St Augustine is 30 miles. He recently had to endure a lot rental increase that strained his resources. About four years ago he financed the purchase of a trailer for $9,000. He still owes $2,500 and has not been able to make the payments for over five months. He tried to sell his trailer but there are no buyers. The finance company is foreclosing and he must let it go. With the increase in gasoline prices, the trips to St Augustine have become expensive. He has credit card debt over $3,000. His Plan: Live in the van, which provides him with a bed in which he can fully stretch out. Park in a St Augestine, Wallmart parking lot each night. (A method used by Clarence Thomas, Justice of the Supreme Court, when he travels in his MotorHome.) Food will be eaten on the fly so-to-speak, no room for cooking. Showers and laundry will be done at a nearby truck stop. His van is all paid up but he had to choose one shorter than he would have liked. He bought what he could afford. He has recently serviced it for tires, brakes, tuneup, etc. He says he does not want his new home to become incapitated. He has window screens for the summer. I asked him what he would do if it got cold at night. His response, "Be cold." He has rented a storage unit 5'x10'x10', for 500 cubic feet of space. He keeps his photography equipment, fishing gear, books, memorabila, etc. in it. No furniture, that stays with the trailer as does the washer and dryer. He will be able to control his expenses so that he can pay off his credit cards. He hopes to save enough in the future to buy a larger van for additional comfort. Here is the question: Is Jim truely a homeless person? Home means many things to different people, especially politicians. Will he be numbered in the agregate of the "homeless"? His standard of living is quite good compared to that of others. He will not go hungry, nor will his dog. There are some comforts that are unavailable to him, but there is a freedom that few have. He does not feel sorry for himself, but has decided to live within his means. Renting a lot on which to park a home is beyond his means, and this is the course he has chosen in order to get by. I don't believe I will see Jim again because his last day at Pacetti's is March 3rd. After that he will be living near St Augustine. I wished him well as we parted today.