What homeless kids played with in my day

I remember my time in a shelter with my family. Some families were able to salvage and keep televisions, DVD players, PS3 or Xbox systems. My entertainment system amounted to the tower PC that doubled as a DVD player from the selections we'd find at the local library.

There was also the need for rechargeable batteries, one of the common items were Nintendo Gameboys with the majority of kids having one or the other of the Pokemon series. I remember the times parents had filled out forms for agencies that had adopted the shelter kids, and kids finding various items they realistically knew they wouldn't be getting that holiday.

The homeless world is a microcosm, full of good times and bad times. People are born, live, and die through it. On December 21st, many cities will participate in homeless memorial services...reading off the names and remembering those that died while experiencing homeless that year.

For each one lost we shouldn't forget those successfully living through it daily throughout the year.