Raoul’s 2 Cents for May 15, 2026

Invisible People

If you don’t want to ponder, move on to the Jokes below.

Logan’s body was a tattoo artist’s canvas. Hieroglyphics were written all over his face which matched the graffiti he plastered all over his beat-up Honda sedan. Even though he went to my church, I never really got to know him … until I invited his caretaker for lunch and Logan (uninvited) tagged along. Boy, was it an eye opener!

Have you ever talked to a vagrant in the streets? I have … but those instances are few and far between. My very first encounter was an unkempt, moustached woman (in the college campus) who twirled her hair and constantly had conversations with herself … often with cigarette in hand. She never bothered anyone and nobody talked to her. We were insensitive and secretly called her the “crazy woman.”

A few years ago, I drove a friend to the ER. While waiting at the lounge, a deranged woman screamed for medication while the nurses and the other guests avoided her stare. I wanted to comfort her but feared I would not be able to retreat to my privacy. I chickened out.

A few months ago (I shared here in this TGIF email that) a homeless woman found comfort in a discarded cushioned sofa. She was putting on makeup and lighting up a cigarette. Again, I had the urge to greet her but I didn’t want to engage in a constant dole out for her addiction — an understandable (and often used) excuse, don’t you think?

So as I munched my hamburger, Logan shared his troubled homeless life. He was orphaned because he was born with physical deformities. He was transferred and abused from one foster home to another. That’s when he started his collection of tattoos and piercings. Like most self-mutilators, the physical pain countered the mental anguish that had become his normal reality. Internally he was shouting for attention so he could expose the injustice of his prison institution. But the more he disfigured himself, the more he became invisible.

Then, just before he was to undergo metal horn implants on his forehead, he found Jesus. Someone actually stepped into his world and offered love. Fast forward to the present. Logan (who was surprisingly articulate) has since shared his story on countless occasions. Mister Invisible was now speaking in front of thousands. He has even flown to faraway places to share his adventure. I never knew he was quite a humble superstar. To be honest, he still suffers physically and mentally due to the years of abuse but he is definitely improving. He has a strong sense of humor and plays tricks on his therapist. (This week he shocked his therapist by leaving a mannequin on a toilet seat). He’s a cool dude. He is currently recovering from a recent operation because his internal organs were not where they normally should have been.

SIDELINE: I apologize to some of you readers who squirm at the mention of Christ’s name but this is part of his story. In deference to you, this is all I will say about his faith.

A dear friend who recently retired in comfort confessed he is bored and has been musing over what to do in retirement. Yesterday he called with an idea to start a program to help the homeless. (What a coincidence!) He had a novel idea to address this problem (I can’t share what it is yet) so I will be pulling some people together to see if this is a viable project. Who knows? Maybe this will be the start of something big. Maybe the invisible population will start to join the rest of society. Let me know if you are interested in participating.

Until then, TGIF people!

If you are interested, TRAVELING BOY has a first hand story about a man who was placed in a Mental Institution. See the world from his eyes. CLICK HERE.

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QUOTES OF THE WEEK

“Great fences make great neighbors, but Wi-Fi passwords make better friends.” — Anonymous

“My neighbor’s BBQ is my weekend temptation.” — Anonymous

“Living next to me should come with a disclaimer sign.” — Anonymous

“Neighbors who listen turn ordinary days into therapy.”— Anonymous

“People who are homeless are not social inadequates. They are people without homes.” — Shiela McKenzie

“We have come dangerously close to accepting the homeless situation as a problem that we just can’t solve.” — Linda Lingle

“Was I always going to be here? No I was not. I was going to be homeless at one time, a taxi driver, truck driver, or any kind of job that would get me a crust of bread. You never know what’s going to happen.” — Morgan Freeman

“Seven out of 10 Americans are one paycheck away from being homeless.” — Pras Michel

“Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?’ But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way. Then he asked them, ‘If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?’ And they had nothing to say.” — Luke 14: 3-6

“He answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ’You have answered correctly,’ Jesus replied. ‘Do this and you will live.’ But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’” — Luke 10: 27-29

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Alex of La Puente, CA

MEMES of the Week

Thanks to James of Los Angeles

Thanks to Kathy of North Dakota

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, California

Thanks to Norm of Encino, California

Thanks to Fred of Long Beach, California

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

I found this:

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these:

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