There’s nothing like walking in someone else’s shoes. So today I ran home, got changed and headed back to work on my bike, with a stop at the Y to go swimming. Accidentally left my wallet at home. Was hungry and was going to pick up cash for the SW Rochester Market later in the day. No wallet, no ID, no cash. Then was feeling a bit hungry. No wallet, no ID, no cash, no car.

So try this experiment, leave y©our wallet or purse, ID and cash at home. Have someone drop you off before lunch a few miles from home. You can bring your phone, I had mine. Then head home. Then after you experience this, think about if this was how you were going to spend the next month.

Now you might think this little experiment is about being homeless, and it is.  Yet it is also about the experience of being a refugee.

© words by Dan DeMarle 2017