LETTER: Best Friend

To the Editor: The Fogels did a marvelous job of depicting the worthless bum whose breath stinks of alcohol and has no purpose in life. Since second grade, I can remember saying that I wanted to be a fireman, a lawyer, an architect and a businessman. I have never said I want to be homeless. I doubt anyone ever has. One of my best friends at Penn is Eric. He is usually in front of Wawa during the day and sleeps across the street on a grate at night. He didn't want to become homeless -- he had his dreams as well. Then his world fell apart: he lost his job, his girlfriend threw him out and he was left with nothing. Now he tries to find work, but who wants to hire a homeless man? I try to look out for Eric. Whether it's buying him a cheeseburger, stealing some food for him from Stouffer or giving him some change, I do my best to help him out. I am far from being rich, but I realize I was given a headstart in life that Eric and many people like him were not. I have worked over the past four summers so I can buy my own car. Maybe by giving Eric my spare change and by buying him meals, it will take me longer to save up enough for my car. Maybe the car I get will not be as nice as the Fogels' car because I didn't take their advice and just ignore the homeless. I do know I won't be jealous. Eric may not have all the material wealth the Fogels have. Eric may not even have a bed to sleep in or a square meal tonight. But I can assure you that Eric is a richer person than the Fogels will ever be. BEN SAWYER College '95

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