It is always nice to get away from home for a day and just have a little fun with friends. Today was just that day. With all the snow we have had and being cooped up in the house for days at a time, the sun was bright, almost blinding so it was a perfect day for a road trip and lunch.
After the great day I came home to a little television. I had heard earlier in the week a report about the staggering numbers of teen homeless in our country. There are roughly 2 million homeless teens in America today. That's a number that for me no real parent can fathom.
The segment told the story of four teens, ranging in age from 13-18. Another sad statistic is the large amount in the state of Oregon. I always had the thought that Oregon was the carefree, hippie state. Lots of people move there either to retire, or raise children because of the peace and tranquility.
Each story of these teens in itself was extremely heartbreaking. One young man who was 17 was sent on a one-way trip to see a relative. Later his mother confessed there was no relative--she just couldn't handle him. There stories differed greatly but after living in a tree for a short time in San Francisco Golden Gate Park, he managed to get his life back on track, graduate and briefly re-connect with some of his family.
Another young lady was tossed out by her mother after most of her life living in cars and shelters. Again her mother told a different version of the truth and the girl was eventually emancipated by the State of Oregon. She later received over $16,000 in scholarship and is attending the college of her dreams.
The other staggering figure on this is alot of these young people are those who feel uncomfortable in their own skin due to transgender. Another high occurrence is drug and alcohol use.
Each of these stories brought a different aspect of how this homeless teen epidemic is a truly sad situation.
Although I have never been homeless and am a parent myself, I am unable to understand these parents. It is possible that the whole story is really not told, as in any situation but we as a society can only hope these kids can turn things around and be productive citizens because they are the future.
Everyone has a story some like fairy tales and others like horror stories. They can stop the cycle and get off, or chose to continue peddling down a road to nowhere. The chose is their's some are on the right road and others are lost. I thank God everyday my two children are doing well.
The other thought on this is I complain about being cooped up in my home during bad weather, next time I will be thinking about those kids or anyone who doesn't have a home at all.
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