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Homeless Memorial Service: An Emailed Update

NOB HILL--Bike touring partner Mike Moye attended yesterday's memorial for the homeless dead. Here is his email report and cellphone picture.

Jon,
The ceremony, remembering those who have died on the streets, began about
1:30 yesterday next to the tiled wall behind AHCH. People started gathering
as early as 1:00 and obviously personally knew someone who had fallen to the
disease of homelessness. Some were sorrowful and some were relieved that

their loved one did not have to suffer another cold winter season. It can
be a mixed blessing. Barbara Pepper and I watched and remembered as we were
greeted by old friends.
The remembrance began by a group of native Americans from south of the
border who performed a ritual of blessing. They were unannounced and
danced their blessing of the wall, of us, and of the world. I pray it
worked. Marcella, AHCH board member and volunteer, spoke briefly and all of
us were invited for the procession to downtown. I hope the pictures are
helpful.
Mike

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Comment by Don McIver on December 19, 2007 at 9:32am: Disease of homelessness? Not sure if that wording works for me. I appreciate the sentiment and post, but its not a disease. I see it as a systemic failure-not enough affordable housing, not enough help, lack of quality education, lack of quality medical care, etc.

Missed it this year, the first time in 5 that I have.

Comment by cynthia on December 19, 2007 at 1:53pm: Thank you for covering a subject we don't normally hear about. However, I have to agree with Don...ouch.
When my son was about 6 he thought the word "homeless" was "hopeless." I quickly corrected him. If we had more affordable housing/housing programs, rehab. resources, accessible mental health services, and support from the community (i.e. not calling homeless a sickness) I believe there would be less people on the streets.Delete Comment

Comment by Mindy on December 19, 2007 at 8:31pm: the real disease is greed in this country... which leads to money being taken out of affordable housing and into the pockets of those who keep us in an unending war...thank you for the comment Don. The event is always powerful and I am always honored to witness people in such a raw and real state... Friday is the first day of winter and it is getting cold...

Comment by Johnny_Mango on December 19, 2007 at 9:24pm: I reprinted the email as I received it. Certainly Mike did not mean homelessness to be a disease...at least in any sense we would normally use that word. He probably misspoke or didn't finish his thought. Perhaps he meant died from diseases coexisting with homelessness that contribute to both it and death. Anyway, I did appreciate his coverage of the memorial.

By way of comparison, tomorrow's Alibi has a story on the ArtStreet aspect of AHCH's program. Tonight's Tribune has a front page story on the march itself. And the ABQ Journal has not mentioned either AHCH or the memorial.

According to the Tribune piece by Maggie Ybarra, "53 people died from causes relating to homelessness in the past year."
http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/dec/19/albuquerque-vigil-remembers-those-who-died-homeles/

Comment by Soulpatch70 on December 20, 2007 at 11:24pm: First, I'd like to say that it is a blessing that so many are interested positively effecting the lives of those that are in need, and even more importantly are taking steps to help. It saddens me that many lose their lives and suffer so much , whether by mistakes, bad choices or by circumstances beyond their control, or all of the above. We are all capable of being in the same situation. I applaud those of you who's hearts are open, and who willingly meet the homeless where they are. You do make a difference. Having a home does not make a person more or less lovable, yet it takes a very big person to realize that and move past their own personal comfort - I myself have not done enough and will continue to pursue opportunities to help others when and where I am able.

Second, and with all due respect to those comments above, I do, however, have to agree with Mike's use of the word "disease" as hard as it may be to accept the use of such a strong word. Webster's defines disease as both an affliction to an individual, and in this case, as a quality or disposition (see below) of a person or group of people.

Webster's definition:
disease |diˈzēz|
noun

• figurative: a particular quality, habit, or disposition regarded as adversely affecting a person or group of people

Either way, labeled as a social disease, or not, and regardless of which side of that debate we are on, the most important aspect of Mike's email and all of the following posts is the care and concern you all have for those that have less than all of us posting, typing and commenting. On that note - thank you for making a difference in this world and specifically in Albuquerque!

Comment by Mindy on December 25, 2007 at 9:57am: There is a wonderful video done by Mud House Advertising about ArtStreet, the Art Studio at Abq Health Care for the Homeless. Check it out at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_ib7zrz9ZQ

thanks for the conversation...Come visit the studio and make art or support the many shows that go on throughout the year

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