You may  wonder why I chose to write about someone whom the world may consider to be insignificant. Perhaps as you read, the reason will become clear.

Calvin was not an especially noteworthy person, at least in the sense that society considers an individual to be such. Calvin was a homeless person who lived in a field beside a certain gender friendly spot that was a gathering place for the TG community for many years. He had one constant companion in life, a old hound dog appropriately named "Boy".

The first time I saw Calvin was in 1971. I got out of the car one hot July evening and heard a man sitting on a couch, in the middle of a field, literally doing a concert of old Elvis favorites. He was clearly drinking and I'm sure was a source of amusement for everyone and, quite frankly, including this writer.

As the months and years passed, Calvin became a sort of fixture, and it became clear that he was not a threat to anyone. For some reason, the time came when he would wave when he saw me and shout, "Hi dollin", in a gutteral tone that evidenced many years of physical abuse. Occasionally, if there had been any unsavory characters seen in the parking area, he would give me a word of caution to be on the alert.

There are so many anecdotes relating to Calvin that one could write a book, given the time and inclination. One evening, as I was going in, Calvin saw me and staggered to the car window. He was clearly excited and proud about something. He wanted to show me his newest possession, a Bowie knife. I will admit  I was, shall we say, cautious when I saw the stainless steel shining in the moonlight, and was glad I had not lowered the window. But he only wanted to show me how proud he was of his new acquisition, which he had obtained by trading his garden hose. Later, a TG friend told me she had seen the whole thing and had been worried I was about to be robbed, or worse. I explained it was only Calvin. I suppose it's only natural that in the world of the homeless, common objects we take for granted can become valuable commodities to be bartered for more prized possessions.

There was an evening in January, 1976. It was a bitterly cold night and we were in the midst of a cold wave. I saw a well dressed woman drive up in a shiny Cadillac. Somehow she knew Calvin was sleeping beside the building under the air conditioner. She opened her trunk, pulled out a blanket and found Calvin in the dark. She laid the blanket over him, literally tucking him in without waking him, and drove off. Occasionally, we see an example of the goodness that lies within the human heart. This was one of those.

One morning some years ago, I opened the newspaper to find an article stating that Calvin had passed away. There were no important details given, except the fact his family had long ago disowned him, he had been receiving emotional disability and living outside was of his choosing. It spoke of his companion, "Boy", and the fact they were inseparable.

When we see a homeless person, the realization occurs this human being was some mother's baby, a mother who had the same hopes and dreams for her son, or daughter that any parent has. As is often said, "there but for the grace of God, go I".

Calvin also was one of God's children. He was no less important than any of us. God cared about him as much as any of us and, in ways still unknown, his life may have touched someone. It certainly touched the lady who tucked him in while he slept outside on a bitterly cold January night. As one of God's children, he deserves to be remembered.

It is also worth remembering that the very least of us can be used in ways we may never know. It has nothing to do with status or wealth. It has everything to do with God's plan. As the Word says, "God's ways are not our ways".

Rest in peace, Calvin. I hope you are in a better place, and "Boy" is yet by your side.
 

(This page originally added 10/18/01)

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Footnote - December 2005   There is a now a coffee house/doughnut shop on the site where Calvin made his home. We go there occasionally and each time, the memories include Calvin and Boy.