THOMAS

prized possession : coffee cup

 

“I’ve been homeless for too god damn long,” Thomas declares with a twinkle in his eye. Still, he sits seemingly centered amongst the chaos and loud souls surrounding him in the park. He smiles shen recalling details of his earlier life, exclaiming, “I was born in in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts!” Having come to Denver five and a half years ago, he soon lost his job and lived in a shared hotel room for a year. It wasn’t sustainable, and he was soon sleeping outside. “It sucks. Life is terrible. I’m getting pretty damn tired of it,” he admits. He does however, express gratitude for a bed at the Rescue Mission. He credits the shelter with saving his life after a recent bout of pneumonia.“You gotta be prepared for anything,” he says.

 

Prized Possession: Coffee cup. With few material objects, Thomas’ favorite is his coffee cup. “It’s a Starbucks coffee mug. Because that’s all I have in life. Everything I have in life is in this backpack.” Before departing, he gives some more advice. “What the hell is the matter with you people with those holes in your face,” he says  in regards to my nose ring. “I have one tattoo, but no holes,” he laughs.