Forgotten: Seventeen and Homeless Read online

  Last weekend I nearly fainted when Jayden asked if he could come do it with me. And having him there was great. The kids loved having a guy around, and although Jayden confessed later that he was still trying to wrap his head around this whole homeless thing, he said helping with those kids is changing the way he thinks.

  While I wasn't homeless for a long time (even if it felt like an eternity some days), I saw and experienced some things that have forever changed the way I look at homeless people. I used to assume they were lazy or drug addicts or just plain losers. Now I realize that all kinds of people, through all kinds of circumstances, might find themselves without a home at some point in their lives. And I believe it's the job of everyone to help those in need. For that reason, I plan to focus my college education on a degree that will allow me to help others and to make a difference.

  Another thing I've learned is that a lot of people are better than I give them credit for. During that time when I felt so alone, I could've gone to Ms. Michaels for help-she even said so. And I could've called on Pastor Roland sooner. And both Lindsey and Jayden told me they would've helped too, but I never gave them the chance. So I guess what Pastor Roland said about giving and receiving is really true-it is a two-way street.

  But the most important thing I've learned is that I was wrong-life is not a cosmic coin toss. The whole time I thought I was looking for things like a home, money, friends, food ... I was really looking for God. I've discovered that knowing God-having a real relationship with him-is worth more than any of the material stuff I thought was missing. And I wouldn't trade my friendship with God for anything. Because like Pastor Roland said, when you get God, you get everything. And that is why I don't think I'll ever be needy again.

  1. Adele seemed to be getting a fresh start at the beginning of the story- but then it fell apart. What, if anything, do you think she could've done differently to change the outcome?

  2. How do you think the adversity in Adele's life changed her? Did it make her stronger? Weaker? Both?

  3. What part of Adele's challenges could you relate to?

  4. Describe your initial reaction toward homeless people (like street people or panhandlers). Do you avoid them? Look the other way? Make fun of them? Give them money?

  5. What do you think you would do if you suddenly became homeless? Would you try to hide it like Adele did? Who might you turn to for help?

  6. Describe your initial reaction to Adele's mother. Did you like her? Trust her? Believe her? Why or why not?

  7. What role do you think mental illness played in this story?

  8. Do you think Adele had issues with trusting people? Why or why not?

  9. Why do you think most people are homeless?

  10. What do you think you could do to help homeless people?

  MELODY CARLSON has written more than a hundred books for all age groups, but she particularly enjoys writing for teens. Perhaps this is because her own teen years remain so vivid in her memory. After claiming to be an atheist at the ripe old age of twelve, she later surrendered her heart to Jesus and has been following him ever since. Her hope and prayer for all her readers is that each one would be touched by God in a special way through her stories. For more information, please visit Melody's website at www.melodycarlson.com.