I am sad about people closing their minds to the reality of homelessness in the United States. If “we” think homeless people will just go away so we no longer see homelessness in our own community, we do not see the reality of homelessness. I visualize a time when we can walk with homeless people in our towns and cities and offer help and support just for a few moments of their day or their lives. We need to designate a day for the homeless.

The Supreme Court of the United States recently upheld a ruling that basically prohibits people from staying on the streets. This allows cities like Boulder and other cities to remove homeless encampments. Did the Supreme Court have any forward thinking about where all these people will live with a lack of food, support, no physical or mental health care and no place to go and not even a tent for minimal shelter from the rain and storms and harsh cold and the blazing heat of the Colorado sun in summer?

I do understand that changes are needed to continue to have vibrant cities. Encampments are perhaps not an answer to a much larger issue. Homeless people will need to hide from public places with nothing more than the clothes on their backs and a blanket they drag around in complete destitution, like a child with a security blanket. The blanket does not give warmth or security to anyone suffering from homelessness.

There is no plan. Homelessness will break our hearts and cost taxpayers millions because our government and society have made a choice to disregard homeless people as human beings in desperate need of care and love.

I was in touch with a family member who was homeless for six or more years as I suffered sleepless nights worrying about him freezing outdoors. He is still the family member I love unconditionally and miss every day. He told me he stayed out in 14-degree weather when he got frustrated with the homeless shelter or maybe too high on drugs to make a better decision that night. Untreated addiction, mental illness and homelessness are all together in the mix of sad conditions that have caused the current condition and lack of empathy for those who have no shelter. My family member told me the steel-toed boots I bought him so he could work construction jobs caused his toes to go numb that night and his friend who was in a wheelchair with no legs was taken away by ambulance that night.

We must remember that homeless people have suffered beyond anything most of us can understand. They are someone’s child. It is unfair and unjust and in today’s world, homelessness is cruel. If we can put a human being on the moon, we can solve homelessness on Earth. Together we can solve this!

Homeless people have a name and feelings and emotions. Many suffer a sad and sorrowful life that is meant to be filled with happiness. For many of us living in warm homes with heat and plenty of food and basic sanitation, some still think of homeless people as hopeless drug addicts or failures who should be out getting a job. Whoa! It’s not that easy for many people you see on the street.

Let us work on our perspective of those who live without a roof over their heads and a bed to snuggle up in. All people have a purpose. Many homeless people struggle to find a purpose to live until the morning. Many homeless people are exhausted from walking for hours and days from one place to another.

Their shoes may have “souls” that are detached from the toe to the heel and taped together with duct tape. Their shoes leak.

The homeless suffer loneliness and isolation that are perhaps endless.

If you see a homeless person on the street corner, it is OK to ask them how you can help them today. Ask them their name and tell them your name.

Please help change homelessness in the world.

Ann Fair lives in Longmont.