LARRY

prized possession : wallet-sized photo of his family

A Vietnam veteran from Portland, Oregon, Larry has been intermintently  homeless for twenty years. The first subject of the projet, he was open in sharing his tales. “I’ve had moments where I thought, oh I want this (housing), but every time I get there its not where I need to be. I don’t like the pressure of having to pay rent, pay the electric man, get food.” To Larry, there is an insanity in the acquiring and hoarding of stuff. “I don’t have a lot. But I have sufficient enough.  I don’t need more, more, more, more, more. I share what I have.” There is no shame in the simplicity of this lifestyle. “It’s okay to be here. I am not ashamed of my homelessness. I don’t even like that term homeless. I’m a human being. Everybody is a human being. It took me a long time to get to that. Some of the most talented people I’ve ever met are on the streets.” While the points of wisdom continued to be shared, Larry acknowledges survival on the streets came with experience. “When I first hit the streets, I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know where to eat. There are a lot of people who help.” 

 

Prized Possession: A wallet sized photograph of Jessica, the younger of his two daughters, with high granddaughter Kayla, and his son-in-law John. His most prized possession was a source of emotional strength. This part of his family lives in Washington state. It is a reminder of unconditional love for Larry. “If I lost this picture I would be heartbroken. My youngest daughter has stuck through me with everything more than anyone and I love her. She also sent it to me through the mail which seems to be rare these days.”