I have never written a paper of any kind. I never read that much. But now that I have all this extra time, I read every day. Sometimes I read an article twice in case I missed something. I always look at Illinois Times but never read everything. Well, I just read two months of newspapers and two back issues of IT. After reading everything, I just had to write. I feel IT is for the people.

I am 71 years old, a little disabled. In 01 two men threw me off the Dirksen overpass. Well that got me three metal plates and a little brain damage. But I made it. It was rough for awhile but, thanks to two good men who own a steakhouse, I got me a job. That job saved my life. I started getting better. It took two years.

After seven years I lost that job and my home. But I am making it. I have some income and did odd jobs this summer, but became homeless.

What I’m finding out is that not all homeless people are bad, not drunk or into drugs. And some are really nice people. Also, not all people treat the homeless bad. I have met great people on both sides. A lady stopped her car and asked if I could use dog food for my puppy. Another lady saw me getting ice water for me and ask for some for my puppy. She ended up buying a case of bottled water for us. A lady gave us sandwiches one day, and a couple gave me, my puppy and son all cheeseburgers. Another lady had sandwiches left over from a meeting downtown and gave them to us. I asked no one for any of this. I don’t panhandle and don’t approve of it. But I do understand both sides.

Two ex-bosses helped us with food. A lady who is to me the greatest person I have ever known owns a market. She has done so much for me over the years. I have paid for everything but I feel I owe her so much more. Her whole family is great. The people who work for her are really good people too.

Here is one of the problems. They say adopt a pet, rescue a pet. Pets are good for seniors. Well, we rescued Baby Girl. She is healthy, eats good. Now she is 10 months old and weighs 65 pounds. She is smart, beautiful and became my best friend, and at times seems to be my only one. She saved me from getting mugged one morning at 2 a.m. The only problem we have with her is fleas. But we are fighting them. Why adopt a rescue? Nobody will rent you a place with a pet and one half pit is really out. You may have rent money, but the deposit gives you a little trouble. Then comes the part, “no pets, no smoking.” I would give up the smoking if they let me keep my Baby Girl.

You can’t get help being a single man.

And no one has any funding. Everything is cut.

I feel better. I got some things off my chest. I am not asking for help. God will do that. I just want people to know how things are and to have God bless all the good people that have come into my life.

Oh and thank the man who saw me walking in a T-shirt and shorts one morning and the next morning gave me a pair of new jeans as he went to work. He wanted to give me some money, but I’d rather have him pray. He gave me a phone number and said he could use some help this weekend with some yard work. God bless all the people who let me cut their yard this summer and do other work for them.

I got a vacation. I had not had one in 15 years. I always worked and sometimes two jobs. Thank God and the people who helped me stop drinking. I stopped May 28, 2015. Thank God and everyone for opening my eyes and making me a better person, and showing me how it really is – all the good with a little bad.

Willis Bolin has lived in various places on the east side of Springfield for the past 30 years.