Honking in the dead of night. Yelling “get a job.” Denigrating your fellow Greenfield residents. This happened while I was talking with residents on the Greenfield Common late Saturday night. Have you forgotten “There but for the grace of God go I” or the Golden Rule? Or maybe even “What goes around comes around”?
Many, many people of all ages and places and stages of life live one paycheck or one disaster away from homelessness – a fire, an accident, a health calamity, a family tragedy, whatever. Are you afraid this will happen to you? Is this why you honk and yell and speed off?
Do you have a talent or service you could volunteer in order to help someone get a firm footing again in life? Are you an employer? A lawyer? A barber? A beautician? A landlord? A dentist? A doctor? An optometrist? A contractor? A child care provider? A bus company or other transportation provider?
You get it – the practical things in life we all need to be safe and sound, and attain our goals. Give a hand up to those in need and those very close to it so they achieve all of those things again, too.
So, do you have a talent or service to offer? Call City Hall, or Big Brother Big Sister, or The Commission on Disability Access, or ServiceNet, or the Recovery Center, or the Greenfield Housing Authority, or Franklin Hampshire Career Center, etc. etc. etc. They’re just a phone book or visit away.
Set something up. Do what you can. Stop honking.
Joan Morel
Greenfield