I can't think of a title. hmmmph.

I spent part of the day today with a lovely gentleman originally from New York City.  This man has had significant trauma in his life that involved a shooting and a robbery. This event took place 18 years ago.  He lives in a beautiful home in a beautiful Southern Vermont setting.  The sad part is that he doesn't leave his home.  The blinds were drawn....even though it was a beautiful sunny fall day.  His tables are littered with drugs of all kinds.  He had lots of nervous energy but he also has agoraphobia and post traumatic stress disorder.  He was very obviously bitter about his family life and prior friends, and very lonely.  He also had three dogs (gorgeous boxers) that he obviously loved very much because their photos are everywhere....but they are gone now.  He spends all day pacing between his rocking chair and his dining room chair, watching the stock market rise and fall.  He talked to me about some stock that he owns in an organic LED company.  He doesn't go down cellar by himself, in his own house.  He doesn't leave his house unless someone is with him.  Tropical Storm Irene fried his computer and TV, and he had dial=up anyway, so it was pretty much useless.  He had beautiful eyes, I could tell that at one time he as a very attractive man and I tried to see him through that light.
Imagine what it would be like to be affluent, well known, competent, protective, intellegent and capable at age 37, and then have it all ripped out from under you because someone needed something that you had, and decided to take it.  Imagine what it would be like to live as a zombie for several years afterwards as a medical team rebuilds your face.  Imagine what it would be like to have your significan other leave you when you are down and out.  Imagine what it would be like to be living as a prisoner in your own home at age 57.
He was kind, thankful, and pleased to have spent some time with my coworker and I, his eyes said thank you just as eloquently as his words did.  I left his home feeling so sad., but enriched to have met this lovely gentleman.