Homeless Family

I was working late one night this week so I answered the phone. It was Lawrence, a single dad with three little girls.

"My girls and I need a place to stay."

"Why are you homeless?" I asked.

"I rented a place, and one day we came home to find the door barred shut with a sign,"Condemned". There was no warning, nothing. Social services put us up for two nights at a hotel, but tonight is our last night and I haven't been able to find a place yet."

The next morning, Lawrence and his three beautiful daughters showed up at the front door. My heart melted for them. We skipped the tour and brought them right up to their room. It was obvious they needed baths, something in their tummies, and a good night's sleep.

The girls were polite, shy, and well mannered. Spying a box of crab apples, one of them braved, "Can I have an apple?!" Their dad was a mild mannered, well-spoken man whose goal was to protect his girls.

This is the first time I have personally dealt with a homeless single dad with three daughters. My heart was particularly wrenched and warmed at the same time. I can't imagine what it would have been like if my dad, who raised my three youngest siblings on his own, came home one night to find he had no home.

Yesterday, Lawrence was able to secure an apartment in the neighbourhood. We wish them well.