Backpack With Wings: A Beautiful Story of Today

Latest

We went to the bank and had a twenty dollar bill. I had the weirdest feeling that I was being led to somebody specific. This feeling kept intensifying almost driving me crazy. I kept feeling I would run into an older lady. I saw an older lady sitting at a bus stop talking to God as I was in the turning lane where you could hear her. I drove past her and I ran into this gentleman. I said this is where I’m supposed to stop he was sitting in a vacant parking lot next to St Ignatius Church. He is sitting there with a bike and a backpack. I grabbed a tent and the $20. As I walked up to him I realized he was painting. He looked up at me thankful for the tent then looked at me, looked at the painting, and looked back at me kinda in disbelief. I called Jay out to come see it. He said what the guy was thinking and I was thinking, he said that looks like you. I ran back home and grabbed paint and a canvas I had. We brought it to him. The man cried multiple times. Jay told the man I hadn’t been feeling well. The man prayed for me. I will never forget what he said. I have been feeling a lot of weight on my shoulders. He said mid-prayer multiple times to take off the heavy backpack take the weight to let go of the stress. Some of you have seen the graphic I made a while ago for when our unhoused die. It is a backpack with wings. Something about what he said was so deep and had so much meaning I’m forever grateful.

Photos by Jay of the Sacramento Homeless Union
Photos by Jay of the Sacramento Homeless Union
+ Articles by this author

Crystal Sanchez is with the Sacramento Homeless Union.

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

Emmy-Winning Journalist Deported After Reporting on Anti-Trump Protest

Emmy award-winning journalist Mario Guevara was deported to El Salvador – a country he fled over 20 years ago — in retaliation for filming law enforcement activities, says the Committee to Protect Journalists.

A Salute to Chicagoans Fighting ICE

A salute to Chicagoans fighting ICE and to the food delivery worker on a bicycle who outrode ICE agents after they tried to kidnap him on the streets of downtown Chicago.

Over 60 Lawmakers Launch Investigation Into Trump Administration’s Disappearances

Some Democrats in Congress have announced they are investigating the Trump administration’s practice of disappearing immigrants to other countries.

America Cannot Afford This Dangerous Step

Americans should be chilled at government's recent designation of “Antifa” as a domestic terrorist organization (it isn't an organization). This allows for the criminalization of broad swaths of dissent, and won't stop with "Antifa."

America is Divided—But it’s the Wrong Divide

The real divide is between those who have and those who don't. We have the abundance to care for everyone and government must see to it that people's needs are met.

More from the People's Tribune