There but for the Grace of God go I...
Just thinking…here we are in the holiday spirit supposedly, or supposed to be. But I can’t help but think about the homeless population.
The United States has the worst homelessness rate among industrialized nations, and it’s about to get a lot worse. I read that nearly 3 in 4 Americans worry about becoming homeless themselves. So many people are hanging on by a thread. I’m frightened, too, with rents going up, and healthcare, and insurance, and basics.
In 2024, 180,000 more people became homeless—the largest single-year jump. I don’t know how many more became homeless in 2025. But, nearly 30% of all homeless in the U.S. are in California. And, over the past 15 years, homelessness among students in America has increased by 63%. That’s crazy.
Now, I’m thinking about Santa, a warm fireplace, and presents under the tree. BUT I shiver when I remember that in America, 33.3% of homeless people are families, including nearly 150,000 children. Am I the only one who feels sad here?
No one should boast about this country’s greatness when the leaders don’t even talk about this growing problem. It’s not remotely on their radars. But they know it’s going to get worse. Yeah, they don’t care, they have bigger fish to fry. Wars and blowing up boats are more interesting and visually appealing. And pardoning the president of Honduras who said he wanted to stuff cocaine up the noses of gringos—how’s all that going to help us here? Nobody asks those questions. If they do, they’ll be called piggy or ****** or some other below the belt insult. So no one asks, and if they did, there’d be no answer. We’re in deep trouble.
These are the things I’m thinking about this holiday season:
Those who have no shelter over their heads.
Those who live in encampments after fleeing their war-torn homeland.
Those roughing deserts and dangerous terrain fleeing violence with no safe place to land.
Those Ukrainian children stolen from their homes by Russian soldiers, delivered to a new set of parents in Russia.
Those children separated from their families by ICE, who remain unclaimed, disunited, without family, again this Christmas. I fight back tears thinking about all of them.
Many people feel homeless in their heart and mind, even when surrounded by others. My wish is for anyone reading this post to keep this reality in mind during this holiday season. Please keep your hearts full and uplifted. Help out where you can, if you can. Be patient and kind. Heck, it’s true…there but for the grace of god go I.
Evangel
Thanks for posting your wish. We can all be mindful about the homeless population, or those who are on the edge of it. You have, however, broadened it here to include not just those down on their luck financially, but victims of war, violence, or kidnapped children. Home is where the heart is, and when loved ones are missing, taken, or gone for good, those left behind have also lost a sense of "home." I will do my part to fulfill your wish. Thank you, again for the reminder.
Slipstream
Your wish is a reminder to be grateful for what we have. If we're living under a roof, and there's food in the refrigerator, be grateful. And do what you can for those who aren't under a roof and don't know when their next meal may be. Thank you.
Well Street
Thank you for posting this wish, Homeless Valley. I thought of it as I drove down a street in West LA today.
I hadn't been on this street in a few months. Back then, under the freeway overpass were about half a dozen tents and an RV. I was astonished by what I saw there today—probably 25-30 tents and ramshackle cardboard huts with the "occupants" standing around, communing with one another.
The scene reminded me of when I volunteered at the LA Mission on Skid Row, with its several blocks of tent cities.
This reality will be on my mind this holiday season, and as your message encourages, I'll do my best to keep my heart full and uplifted, and extend patience and kindness.