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Interviews

Interview with Norris

10/29/2016

1 Comment

 
Picture

I left yoga today and headed to Wholefoods.  I half expected to see the older man but didn't and I felt no intention of "interviewing" anyone else even though I did see a few others perched on corners and side streets.  I know this is a generalization, but I have found the homeless to be very friendly in DC. They make eye contact with you and genuinely seem to want to make a connection independent of wanting anything from you.  It really is refreshing to experience.  

I saw a few people, made eye contact and said hello but nothing more as I went into the store.  I bought a hodge podge of a few stuff for lunch and then hurried towards home.  As I was walking down one street about two blocks for home a young man stopped me. 



Norris:  HI Mame.  Can you spare a few dollars for food?

Me:  Do you have a few minutes to talk?

Norris:  (Shrugged his shoulders) Sure.  

Me:  Are you homeless? (Hand him some money and the fruit in my bag).

Norris:  Yeah.  (Oh! I love this kind of fruit!  Starts eating it.)

Me:  Where do you live?

Norris:  I go from friend to friends

Me:  Are you from DC?

Norris:  Yeah

Me:  Is this where you want to live?

Norris:  I would love to live in Atlanta

Me: Have you ever been?

Norris:  No

Me:  Do you mind if I ask you how old you are?

Norris:  I am 26 

Me:  Wow.  You are so young.

Norris: yeah.  

Me: Did you go to school?

Norris:  i graduated form HS and went to...(names a school in DC)

Me:  What kind of work do you want to do?

Norris:  (Quickly) I will do anything! Dishwasher, anything!

Me:  I wish I could get you a job . So you live on the street? 

Norris:  Yeah.  It sucks. People try to steal your stuff.

Me:  Ugh..you have nice clothes.  What about Shelters?

Norris:  I don't want to stay there.  There are bugs.

Me: Did you work before?

Norris:  Yeah.  I was a security guard and was making a lot of money.  But, I lost my job and now I have a record and cannot get a job.  My baby's mom accused me of hitting her in the stomach when she was pregnant.  I didn't do it!  But I went to jail anyway. 

Me: You went to jail?  

Norris:  Yeah.  Six months.  It was bad.  (He points up the street).

Me: That must of sucked.  It is a pretty serious accusation.  You didn't do it? 

Norris:  No.  She was just saying it.  

Me:  Why would she say it if it wasn't true?  

Norris:  She wanted to get money

Me:  She got money from you?

​Norris:  No she got $2000 from the DV place.

Me:  How old is your child?  

Norris:  She's 4.  Chloe.  

Me:  Do you see her?  

Norris:  Not since I went to prison.  Now I can't get a job anywhere.  I have a record and am trying to get it expunged.  

Me:  That must be tough.  If you were going to go back and do things over again, what might you have done differently? (Is there a moral to the story here?)

Norris: (Emphatically said) I would get it (my record) expunged!

Me:  Well that is out of your control.  What would you do differently?

Norris:  I would have never met her and never had a kid

Me: Why did you drop out of school?

Norris:  I have ADHD.

Me:  Do you take drugs? 

Norris:  No (street drugs). I take Dexedrine 15 mg for my ADHD it is prescribed to me.

Me:  Why did you drop out?

Norris:  My grandmother died

Me:  Was she paying for your education?

Norris:  Yes, but that is not why.  She was my backbone. 

Me:  I am sorry to hear that she died.  

Norris:  Yeah.  (We both look away.)  

Me:  What is your family like?

Norris:  They aren't up to par.  (We both smile at his reference to them.)

Me:  Oh. What advice would you give a little kid?  

Norris:  Stay home.  I was in a hurry to leave home

Me:  Would you mind, would it be ok if I took your picture?

Norris:  Sure

Me: Is this ok? 

Norris:  Yup that's me (as he looks at the picture and smiles.)

Me: Do you have an email?  

Norris:  Yup.  I check it every day at the library.

Me: Well I can't get you a job.  I will write up your story for my blog site.  I want to send you the write up and you can let me know if it's accurate and if you want me to change anything.  Ok?  

Norris:  Yeah.  (Starts to chuckle.)

Me:  I know I am a little odd...(doing this)

Norris: It's alright.  It's alright

Me:  Thank you  (shake hands. )

Norris:  Norris (introduces himself).  Like Chuck Norris

Me:  Nice to meet you Norris

Post Note:  Email from Norris-Thanks Kristin I really appreaciate you stoping and talking to me I hope everything goes well with the blog!

1/29/17 Update:  Norris found a job and is working




1 Comment
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4/9/2020 02:36:08 am

Who would have thought that a simple conversation with Norris could give you a lot of realizations about life. Well, there are so many things that we should be thankful for. We cannot see some of it because there may be a lot of things in front of us and we stop being grateful. Well, we should always find a way to help those who are in need no matter what!

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  • Home
  • Oprah John Friend & Desi, Brene Brown and more
  • 2014, 2016, 2015 and 2012
  • A Day in the Life & Pay Attention
  • Reflections from the Past
  • Guatemala Trips
  • Springtime & Falltime
  • Yamas and Niyamas--the eastern Way of the Commandments
  • ClairVision Meditation Group
  • Interviews
  • New
  • Amy's Story
  • Juice Cleanse