FIELD NOTE 002: ASHES

I saw someone covered in ashes.

When I asked what happened, they said it was the dead of winter and he had to burn everything he could just to stay warm.

It made me think about the warm bed I had just come from. The temperature-controlled room where, with the flick of a wrist, I can change the degrees like a god.

The temptation is to assume there must have been another option.

But survival does not always leave people with clean choices.

Mercy requires us to lean near, listen first, and give what we can without making assumptions.

Concrete practice:

we had a tent available, emergency blankets on hand, and gloves to offer.

Those who have, give.