My son was "in town" last week...

My son was "in town" last week and it was one of the best visits we ever had!

He set up his *camp* in a wooded area by a river. (He refused to stay in my home) I saw him daily and it was refreshing to talk with him sober. Yep, he considers himself a "drunk bum". (His words)

We talked alot about being homeless. It was the first time he shared with me some of the details of what it is like. I think he appreciated that I am no longer trying to change him, but support and love him where he is today.

He had a huge two room tent, with a smaller tent set up inside it. The air between the two tents acts like insulation. He also had a large (camo) tarp over the whole thing and brush on top of that. From the road it was only about 100 feet and you could not see it until you were right on top of it. He admitted to losing his *camp twice* in the week he was here...it was so well hidden from view.

He would walk into town once a day and buy just one day's worth of food. Any more than that would attract raccoons or rats from the river. He would walk out the garbage each day. He would not start a fire because there was a burn ban on...so he ate cold food. This contradiction of following some rules and not others stumps me.

He let me buy him a change of clothing and even came to my home to watch a movie while we washed is one suit of clothes. It was a very nice time, sharing a meal and conversation. He only carries one change of clothes because the backpack is only so big. Many times he gives away one outfit to others who are worse off. (another contradiction....I have to remember that he thinks differently than I do)

I could tell he drank when he was not around me, I kept my mouth shut and just hugged him and told him I loved him. The reek of last nights stale beer hard to handle for this non-drinker.

As suddenly as he showed up, he left.