I met Paula somewhere on the West Side, steps away from Central Park. Even covered in thick clothing I could tell she was a petite woman, probably in her fifties, with dark hair tied into thin, wiry braids. She had intense ice blue eyes. I have to describe her to you because she didn’t want her picture taken in any way. “I don’t want to get into trouble,” she said.
She didn’t identify exactly what kind of trouble she could get into from a photograph but she had spent time in prison, in and out for a total of five years, largely for petty crimes. “I’ve been out for eight years and haven’t returned,” she said with pride.
She did allow me to take a picture of one of her few possessions: the cup with penguins into which people would leave money. While I was talking to her not only did people give her money, those that did give knew her and greeted her warmly. She, in turn, knew them and knew things about them, including the names of their pets. In an important way, the people who gave her money were her friends.
Q: How long have you been homeless?
A: For two and half years.
Q: How did you become homeless?
A: It’s not easy with certain people. I was living with a friend but then there was a fire…
Q: How did you end up in this neighborhood?
A: I don’t come here everyday but I used to. They always acknowledged me here. People smile at me or even say, “Hello.” I know people here. I even know their dogs.
Q: Is there a bad neighborhood in New York for you to be?
This is the best neighborhood but I can’t say there’s a “bad” neighborhood. There are nice people everywhere.
Q: Do you believe in God?
A: I’ve been able to stay out of jail because of my relationship with God. He knows I’m a sinner. But He forgives me. I follow the right path. I used to hang out in bars and love all that crazy shit. I don’t like it anymore. Not since I found God. It’s weird.
Q: What’s the best thing that’s happened to you this week?
A: It’s good everyday because I have God in my life. Some days are bad but at the end of the day God has a reason.
Q: If God came to you and told you He would grant you anything you asked for, what would it be?
A: To die. I want to be with Him. I wouldn’t take my life because that would prevent me from being with Him but I want Him to take me and end my life. It seems the more you’re good the more you deal with bullshit. I know why people would rather hate. It’s easier.
Q: What would you like people to know about you?
A: I feel like I’ve been saved. I wasn’t the greatest person so if I can be saved, anyone can be saved. You have to ask forgiveness for the things you did. And you have to forgive the people who hurt you.
When I was inside [prison], I had a bunkmate, Brenda. She taught me Psalm 23 [Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil…] It has never failed me. God has never failed me.