“A teardrop” Union Square Park, NYC.
"Patrick" This is a recent photo of Patrick. I have known Patrick since 2003. Here is a link to a photo taken when I first met him.
09/13/03 http://www.fotolog.net/mashuga/?photo_id=1026154
Patrick has, for as long as I’ve known him, struggled with drug and alcohol problems. He has tried to quit, and has had periods where he is relatively good. He is living inside now in a small apartment. The city has helped him get a place, but he is struggling. On this particular day he told me how much he wanted to break the cycle of drugs and alcohol, and how it has worn him down to where he can hardly take it anymore. All I can really do is to give him encouragement and listen. I see him almost every time I get to New York, and it makes me fell helpless and sad to see him in such pain. I had a chance to sit with Patrick and his father a while back. When his dad arrived on a rare visit to the park Patrick was waiting in, I just watched Patrick light up with true joy. His elderly father brings him such happiness. From my vantage point it appeared almost like the magic bullet for his sadness. I felt a bit privileged that they wanted me to stay with them a while. http://www.fotolog.net/mashuga/?photo_id=12557420
I wish Patrick well and hope that next time I see him things might have improved a little for him. He has such a good heart and is a sweet and gentle man. I think of him as a “friend” on the street. God bless you.


A link to NPR and a story about my work.
All Things Considered
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4123582
You can hear an audio recording of the piece here as well.

You might want to look at my other logs: http://www.fotolog.net/mashuga/ or
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mashuga/