Dove Real Beauty

I absolutely love what Dove Real Beauty Campaign is all about. I try and express to my friends, my family  and my clients who become both. YOU are that damn BEAUTIFUL! This an emotional must see for everyone. Click on the link to enjoy.

Dove Real Beauty

"Street Life"

From Left to Right - Mr. Michael Campbell, Mr. Leroy Carter, Jr., Mr. Wilson Moore and Mr. Man who we nicknamed after he said he would like to remain anonymous. These guys changed my heart!

I left out today with cameras in hand. I am on this kick that I go NO WHERE without them. This is the reason. I have been looking into Candid Photography and Street Photography. It intrigues me. I went past these men today and they just looked at me with this stare of why are you here? I pull up in a Dodge Durango with a Station 64 Member Tag, Lights in the Windshield (that I took down) to seem more friendly.

I got out of my truck as they watched in wonder. I told them I was a photographer and I was working on a project dealing with "Street Life" I kindly asked if they minded me taking their photo. Mr. Campbell walked up out of the blue and they were all to honored to talk with me and have their picture taken. I asked them if I could get them anything in trade for using the photo on my website with a short story. Mr. Man - "A house, A Car...he laughed and said something warm?"  I laughed and said "Trust me, if I had the room I would take you home with me." Mr. Moore said he would love a cup of hot coffee and a size 3X jacket if I could find one. Mr. Carter wanted a cup of coffee and Mr. Campbell a 20 oz. Pepsi and some socks.

I knew I could get the coffee and soda - I wasn't sure about anything else. For the first time in a longtime I felt helpless. Here I sit with these four amazing genuine men and I can't do anything for them. It was heartbreaking. I had my partner April with me. I gave the guys my business card. I shook their hands and told them I would be right back. They told me it was nice talking with me and OK they would be right there.

I'm sure they were  thinking "yeah right, she's never coming back" at this time I knew their first names and had just told them to trust me as they sit homeless on a side street. Talk about humility.

April and I drove around to a corner store where we fixed 3 cups of HOT Coffee, got a 20 oz Pepsi - 4 Honey Buns, 2 Brand New Pairs of Socks, and pulled the blankets (a small Colts throw and a Comforter) out of my bag that I use to sleep with at the station and a pair of extra clean heavy socks that I had and a bar of soap. I was digging through my car searching for anything I could give them.

We returned to the group of men who smiled like little kids and even came to open the door for me since I had their drinks. I pulled everything out and divided it among the four of them and even had a few others walk up to see what the fuss was about. I did tell Mr. Moore - Wilson, that I couldn't get a 3X jacket but I hope this comforter will be OK to help keep him warm. I told Mr. Man although the Colts aren't a favorite team that it will at least keep them warm and handed it to him and we laughed. Many thanks were exchanged and they asked me if I was going to put them on my webpage and did I have a website. I told them only with their permission would I use the names they wanted to freely give to me. The pride in saying their names one by one and saying thank you for what I had done just ripped at my heartstrings. Mr. Man "Someone has to remain anonymous" so we said we would call him Mr. Man; laughed and agreed. I have never in my life meant anyone no matter what the story (because we were talking and joking and never once did I even ask them why they were at this point in their life; at that moment it didn't matter) that remained as the gentle souls as they so did.  I told them I would be back to check on them and bring them whatever I could and to try and stay warm. It was good conversation and laughing with four men who changed my heart today. It only took 15 minutes.

The entire ride home I just sat silent as my stomach turned and I kept thinking to myself how much I have and they don't. It's still ripping at my heart and tugging at my belly. I know I will be back to see them and I can only hope they will smile as they did today.