The Smoking Spot

I had a humbling experience yesterday.  I, for a moment, got to experience the way some people live.  

I went to see an old friend for the first time in years.  He has a lot of health problems.  He always has.  They have gotten worse over the years.  It was sad to see.  I need to pray for him.  He is in a weakened state.  

My friend has been living in a large building in South Portland Maine, with apartments that are subsidized for the elderly and disabled.  This place has become somewhat of a community.  Most of the people are unable to work but are able to live independently in their own flats.  They don't really go anywhere.  Maybe the grocery store.  Maybe the doctor.  Maybe to church.  

With that, his life has fallen into a repetitive pattern.  In other words, he has adopted this lifestyle which is common in these types of places.  

The place has a strict no smoking rule.  There is no smoking allowed on the premises, no smoking allowed in the apartments, so those who do smoke have to go outside onto a little side street, which has become a sort of community gathering spot for the smokers of "whatever" who live in the building.  

While out there, these people have no protection from the elements.  There are no benches to sit on.  There are no ashtrays set up.  For those who have cars, these cars have become their smoking rooms.  It's a luxury not shared by all who live in the building.  They sit smoking while listening to the radio or watching Tic Tok on their smartphones.  

One guy was smoking what was left of a big old stogey, another sat in his car smoking a joint.  Marijuana is legal in Maine, so it has become part of the way of life there.  You're not supposed to smoke weed in a car, but they do.  A couple more people sat there in their wheelchairs on the side of the road smoking their cigarettes.  This is what these people do all day.  They sit in their apartments until it's time to go have a smoke.  Then they go out in the freezing cold.  Then go back in.  The lucky ones who have their cars at least have protection from the elements.  Most don't.  

I quit smoking years ago, but even when I did, I never had to do anything like that.  It's just ridiculous to me.  This is really the way of life for some.  They'll sit in their apartments watching something on TV, then go outside to have a smoke.  Then they do it all over again, and again and again.  It goes on all day.  

It made me realize how good I have it.  It makes me see how lucky I really am.  My life could be so much worse, so much more mundane.  Sure, it could be better.  But I have what I need.  I have my health.  I have my stability.  I have opportunities.  I have a family.  I have my strength (for the most part).  I have options.  

Still, I spend too much time focusing on what I don't have, and thinking I'd be happy if I did.  Imagine that.  

So let that be a lesson in gratitude for you.  Because if your life at least has a little spice in it, you got it good.