SONNY

When we discuss what is on the mind of the guests here at the shelter, we have to look at things from their point of view.  It is a sad truth to know that people live their days this way and they are so close to us, living in the same city.  Sonny thinks of a surreal expanse of time in which the days have too many hours.  These are some of his views.  There will be good days and there will be bad days and you will be here for both.  He thinks, however, that he is not getting anywhere. 

To Sonny, it does not matter that his life is imperfect.  Life will endure.  He considers himself a CAPE Catholic – Christmas, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday and Easter.  When we talk about church, he believes everything got started with the apple.  Theological talk leads us lots of places.  It takes a long while to talk around some of these topics.  His only wish is to be happy.  “I live in dread when I wake up in the morning; sometime I still think I ain’t gonna make it.”  This is a sad truth. 

                             Love is the touch that does not draw back

                             from the maimed and the hurt and the broken,

                             but embraces their pain,

                             and calls them by their name,

                             that the word of compassion be spoken

P.S.  Sonny died shortly after this painting was completed