Finding Humanity in Hardship

During our Seattle distribution this past Sunday, we met Willow, whose story reflects both hardship and remarkable compassion.

Willow is originally from Seattle. After a painful breakup with her ex-husband, she became separated from her two children, now 25 and 35. She told us that “sometimes the best form of love is walking away.”

Just last week, Willow was attacked and beaten. She is now staying in a safe house as she continues to recover. Throughout our conversation, she was brought to tears several times, not only because of her own challenges but also because of her compassion for others.

Willow shared that one of the few positives of life on the streets is the sense of community. She has met many kind people who look out for her and for each other. At the same time, she feels deeply for those who struggle with drugs and severe health issues. She described the suffering of people with open wounds and staph infections, calling them “modern day lepers.”

She also spoke about the particular challenges of winter, when cold and exposure make life even more dangerous. She urged the city to do more to accommodate people living outside. In addition, she noted that even when assistance is offered, it often fails to reach those who need it most, since many people on the streets do not know when or where help is being given.

Despite her pain, Willow expressed gratitude for those who help the unhoused, explaining that many depend on that support. She said the biggest lesson she has learned from her experience is that there are truly good people out here who want to help one another.