mybiddness
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posted on December 18, 2000 08:55:17 PM new
Hi all, I'd like to indulge for a minute and tell you about a wonderful fella who passed from this life last week.
When I first moved to this town twenty some years ago one of the first things I noticed was that we had our own town "homeless guy." Everyone called him Bicycle Billy because he was always riding up and down the main street on his bicycle. He was a smallish man with dirty blonde hair that always looked in need of a comb, his eyes were a bright blue and he always had a stubble of a beard... Billy was mildly retarded... quiet and shy. He didn't always like to make eye contact and when you smiled and greeted him he was quick to grin and duck his head.
He was a man that was a child and I learned quickly that our town had thrown a protective net around him... perhaps in an unusual way.
As the years passed some things changed and others stayed the same. The town grew to almost ten times its original population. Eventually Billy became too old to manage his bicycle. From then on he could be seen walking up and down his favorite section of main street... always with a dog at his side or one cradled in his arms. I remember three different ones. Each was a mutt and each followed Billy's every step... fiercely loyal.
Many a time I saw Bicycle Billy sitting on the front steps of the local Dairy Queen with his dog at his side. People would come out and hand him their scraps for his dog.
He was too shy or proud to take a hand out for himself. So, for twenty plus years families would make regular trips to the D.Q. drive through so that their kids could "drop change for Billy." It may sound a bit odd, but it was a tradition in this town and it was the only way he would accept help. I don't think he ever realized that it was put there just for him... Others would leave money or packets of cigarettes on the ground for him near the hardware store dumpster... another place he liked to visit. There were many doors open for Billy... a place to go for coffee or just to be near people that were familiar. When the weather turned bad, there were folks who would track him down to make sure he had a warm place to sleep. Sometimes he'd turn down a warm bed for a cold dumpster... but it was his choice.
Once the community got together and bought him a trailer home but he rarely stayed there and one day it burned down. I don't think he ever considered it home as much as he did that stretch of main street that he had traveled so often.
Billy had a brother who lived about 10 miles away. He would come pick him up and take him to his home. Within a week Billy could be seen with dog in tow - trekking back toward main street with a huge smile on his face. He loved this town and he made it clear that he just wasn't going to live anywhere else.
When I learned that he had died last week it caused me to stop and think about what his life had meant. I think he was a happy man and I'm sure that he felt loved by our community. And, I think that in his way he taught a whole community of children how it feels to give to someone anonymously... never expecting a thanks. And, how to help a man who needed help while allowing him the dignity of his never having to ask for it... He didn't have the ability to teach our children in the traditional way, but he taught them the honor of loyalty and compassion - and for that, I think he was a wise man afterall.
Some people might think that a man who did little more than wander the streets his whole life had somehow wasted it. I believe that as much as our town embraced Billy and took care of him he still managed to give much more to us than we could have ever given him.
During this holiday season we try to think of ways to give to others. Maybe Billy's life taught us all that it's the gifts that we give to each other through the normal walk of life - sometimes without ever realizing it - that are the most meaningful.
Sorry for the length of the post... Happy holidays to all of you.
Not paranoid anywhere else but here!
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Antiquary
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posted on December 18, 2000 09:03:18 PM new
mybiddness,
I think that is the singularly best post that I have ever read in this forum. 
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junquemama
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posted on December 18, 2000 09:05:45 PM new
Mybiddness,Thankyou for shareing.
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mybiddness
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posted on December 18, 2000 09:07:04 PM new
Geeez, Antiquary, I was already on the verge of tears... now you're sending me over the edge. Thanks for the compliment.
Not paranoid anywhere else but here!
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krs
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posted on December 18, 2000 10:08:46 PM new
Are all town drunks named Billy?
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mybiddness
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posted on December 18, 2000 10:12:52 PM new
Billy didn't drink KRS. If you want to pick on me go to the chicken stew thread. That's what it's there for.
Not paranoid anywhere else but here!
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shar9
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posted on December 18, 2000 10:32:38 PM new
Mybidness,
Hope I got your name right.
Thank you for sharing that story. It is a beautiful one expecially here at Christmas when we tend to over do it. There is rich and rich and maybe Billy was the richest person of all of us.
I'll bet the whole town will be sorry he is gone.
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FrannyS
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posted on December 18, 2000 10:51:23 PM new
What a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing it
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Antiquary
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posted on December 19, 2000 07:11:59 PM new
You're welcome, mybiddness. I appreciate the skill that is required to relate a simple but significant human experience without resorting to the maudlin or melodramatic, or as an excuse for self-aggrandizement or self-righteousness which most frequently insidiously accompany such stories.
What most impresses me is your interpretation of the value of the townspeople's actions and attitudes. The recognition of how much good almost anyone can accomplish throughout his or her lifetime without even any significant expenditure of time or money. Wordsworth described it as "...that best portion of a good man's life, the little nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love." In an age when our attention is continuously riveted to the sensational we are at risk of underestimating, overlooking, and then perhaps eventually forgetting the small but numberless opportunities to help others. Your story illustrates vividly the value of this aspect of the human condition...at least
to me.
grammatical edit
[ edited by Antiquary on Dec 19, 2000 07:45 PM ]
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mybiddness
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posted on December 19, 2000 09:21:30 PM new
Antiquary, I appreciate your thoughts very much. As it turns out you lifted my spirits greatly. I went out Christmas shopping this evening and on the return home found myself sitting in traffic in front of the Dairy Queen. I felt such sadness knowing that our guy won't be there anymore.
Shar9 is right - I think our whole town is feeling his absence.
Isn't it so typically human that when a person passes on we suddenly think of the things that we should have done or said. Personally, I'm always sure I've learned the lesson "this time." I guess what I'm saying is that I wish I'd taken the time to contemplate and appreciate his life before he was gone.
You may not realize it but your compliment on my writing really means a lot to me. I made a nice living at it for years but lost most of my memory (and skill) with an illness. It's nice to know someone thinks I've still got it!
Not paranoid anywhere else but here!
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toke
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posted on December 20, 2000 07:47:14 AM new
mybiddness...
You've still got it, alright. I can picture that empty space on the steps...
Do you know who's looking out for his pooch?
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Antiquary
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posted on December 20, 2000 12:49:21 PM new
Hey, TOKE
Merry Christmas!
Two novels to consider adding to your list when you have the time and inclination: Kingsolver's Prodigal Summer and McMurtry's Boone's Lick.
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shar9
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posted on December 20, 2000 01:06:21 PM new
mybidness,
I am sorry to hear about what happened to you because writing as you did here it tells me that we are missing out on some excellent works because your writing here tells me you still have a gift.
Toke,
Popping in here not to derail but wanted to say, Merry Christmas to you.
I am wondering about the dog too? Do you know mybidness?
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stusi
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posted on December 20, 2000 01:29:02 PM new
is the protectionism shown to Billy part of what it means to be an American(as in another thread)? in many other countries he would have been beaten and robbed for fun.
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toke
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posted on December 20, 2000 01:39:12 PM new
Hiya antiquary
Merry Christmas (again!) and thanks...I really like Kingsolver. I'll have to start ordering a new bunch... I'm going to the library tomorrow to stop the accumulation of the giant fine I've been building. I blame it on the endless election...
Merry Christmas shar! No, I don't know mybiddness. I was just moved by Billy's beautifully told story and immediately thought of the dog he loved. I'm sure someone is taking care of him - on the other hand, it seems too important to take for granted. I guess I was born to fuss...
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toke
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posted on December 20, 2000 01:41:17 PM new
Gee, stusi, I sure hope so.
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HJW
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posted on December 20, 2000 02:16:40 PM new
I am so sorry that this poor fellow was left, abandoned to live on the
street. No American should have to sleep in in a dumpster!
You and the compassionate people in your community helped this homeless
guy out. But don't you believe that social services in this country
should be more responsible?
It just boggles my mind to think of all the homeless people with no
home but a street grate or a dumpster. I don't think that this should
be happening in America!!!
Doesn't it make you angry?
Helen
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HJW
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posted on December 20, 2000 02:51:39 PM new
I apologize for disrupting the tone of this thread. But to me
this is beyond a sentimental issue.
Helen
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mybiddness
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posted on December 20, 2000 07:52:43 PM new
Hi, I spent the better part of the day in Dallas - Dallas traffic makes me CRAZY! I'll try to de-fraaaaazle to answer your questions.
I've asked about the dog situation too. One person told me that when they took Billy to the hospital the dog was no where to be found and that he's checking with the local pound daily to make sure it doesn't end up there. But, a lady at the school told me that she was positive that Billy's brother took the dog home with him. So, I don't know who to believe. I'll try to check with the local paper tomorrow and see if they know.
Helen
I understand your sentiments. Please be assured that at least in Billy's case he chose his "home." I know of two different families that brought him home to live with them in separate (nice) quarters. He would agree to live there - but, would find his way back to Main Street within a very short time - literally days. I think he honestly considered it his domain... I know that when I worked at a psychiatric ward years ago we had some patients who refused help that was offered through state or county services. Sometimes it was a matter of pride - but it seemed that it was usually a matter of wanting their own space - their own domain - even if it's a back alley and a dumpster. For the most part I think our town just tried to respect Billy's "comfort zone" and not force him into what was more comfortable for them.
Not paranoid anywhere else but here!
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Antiquary
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posted on December 20, 2000 09:09:53 PM new
Yes, the emphasis was on the philosophical rather than the sentimental aspects of the story. Again, well done.
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siggy
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posted on December 20, 2000 09:35:37 PM new
Great story. I agree with Antiquary. Thanks for posting it.
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austbounty
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posted on October 8, 2003 11:46:46 PM new
A heart warming apolitical story from America.
I thought more than worthy of bringing back to the top.
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fenix03
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posted on October 9, 2003 10:29:57 AM new
Aust - thank you for doing so. I am glad I had the opportunity to read it.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
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Dragonmom
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posted on October 9, 2003 01:23:09 PM new
yes, me too. Thanks, Mybiddness, and Aust.
"And All Shall be Well, and All Shall be Well, and All Manner of Things Shall be Well"
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Helenjw
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posted on October 9, 2003 06:26:09 PM new
Good one, Austbounty!
Helen
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Helenjw
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posted on October 9, 2003 07:13:28 PM new
"Some people might think that a man who did little more than wander the streets his whole life had somehow wasted it. I believe that as much as our town embraced Billy and took care of him he still managed to give much more to us than we could have ever given him."
"During this holiday season we try to think of ways to give to others. Maybe Billy's life taught us all that it's the gifts that we give to each other through the normal walk of life - sometimes without ever realizing it - that are the most meaningful."
It's interesting to think that many of these thoughtful and generous people who took so much comfort in providing for "Billy" would oppose funding of social programs that would help not only this homeless man but many others who might not have acquired the status of town pet.
Helen
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