THE BLANKET MAN (2011 & 2013)

On Monday as I approached the bus stop on Eglinton Avenue, I again saw 'the Blanket Man'. His hair was still it's usual matted mess but he was covering himself by holding onto a new grey blanket. I didn't get a really good look at his feet, but possibly also he had on new running shoes, although as usual his legs were bare. As usual I couldn't help but wonder if he had any clothes on under the blanket.

I usually see him rushing up Yonge Street near Eglinton and getting on to or off of the subway train, he rushed down the stairs this time at Eglinton and Yonge and had somehow turned around from his eastbound walk along Eglinton and reached the subway before I did.

I wonder who he is, whether he ever gets a bath, where he gets food and goes for shelter. I am glad he has a new blanket to cover himself with instead of the old rag of a coat he had before although neither that nor his shoes is adequate covering for anyone in this or any kind of Canadian weather.

Maybe I am a coward but I am afraid to approach him, even to ask if he needs anything.

Most of all, I wonder why the city ever closed the Queen Street Mental Health Centre (999 Queen Street as we called it when I was a child) and left these poor, obviously needy people to walk the streets inadequately covered and unprotected from the weather and/or whatever in themselves has brought them to the streets.

NOTE: As of April 2013, the Blanket Man is still around. He seems to be wearing shorts and a shirt and carries his blanket wrapped around his shoulders. He seems therefore, to be alive and, perhaps also, well.

PASS ON A GOOD DAY TODAY - THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT

It must be a couple of years now since I heard someone thank a Bus Driver as they got off of a bus, or my brother ask a girl at the counter at the coffee shop (who was not a barista) how she was that day.

I realized that even though the contact with these people was brief and probably we would forget them a few minutes later, these few words might have made their day a little better.

I don't envy those facing the public directly in their jobs. Having made phone calls to customers in the banking industry about their accounts many years ago, I know how much patience is required when faced with either an irate or angry person, justified or not, that you must listen and respond to.

A bus driver earlier this week told me that he thinks there isn't any other job that deals with the public more than his does. He is probably right.

Being pleasant or courteous not only gets us where we are going as quickly but can leave those we meet and ourselves feeling better. Best of all it is easy and free.


SEE ALSO: SMILING - ITS ADDICTIVE AND CONTAGIOUS and SAY IT NOW AND MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE