Two Shirts

He is a passerby who posted himself at the edge of a 316-foot parcel of land surrounded by a chain link fence. Below a red Anaheim Angel’s hat he ganders at the unfolding 14th Street skate park expansion day. Meandering homeless find their way from different sections of the city to the Long Beach Rescue Mission. John the Baptist once said, “Anyone with two shirts should share with the one who has none.” When I walked up to him little did I know he’d share the second shirt by lifting up his black dress shirt to communicate where his words failed.

The unkept fingernails and cast communicated a sparse message. Tony Hawk stenciled in block letters and spray paint was revealed. There was greater spiritual firepower going on here than I had as an individual. You couldn’t deny it. The Holy Spirit was there moving about the created things. Preparing the way for the Lord turnarounds a passive park into fruitful activity. Packs of skateboarders pose in a group photograph holding up the glossy poster board plotting Spohn Ranch’s final draft. Bonnie Lowenthal, former 1st District council member used to pass by 14th Street when she commuted to city hall for work on Pacific Avenue. She stood out in the park among the youth because of her bright red quarter length jacket.