Holiday's without a Home by Gabby Ellrott

          Loud beeping and cars flying down busy streets and packed avenues. The smell of pollution and cigarette smoke floats by. I struggle to open my eyes after a rough night of sleep. Sleeping on the pavement really never had it's perks but at least it gave me a space to rest. The air was violently cold and I looked up from my thin blanket. New York City. I fought the urge to go back into my dreams and gathered my things. Staggering looks from parents with young children threatened me. That was the worst part.
          The holiday season brought great feelings of joy but also brought too many memories from childhood. It was hard to ignore the thoughts of my youth that fled through my mind. Everyday was a challenge, but I found the fall and winter months the hardest. I walked a couple blocks down and sat down on my usual park bench to people watch. It was one of the only things I did to attempt making the cold hours go by just a little faster. Picking out people and creating their personal story in my mind was refreshing, and gave me a break from thinking about my own life.
          Asking for money from strangers was not something I liked to do. Really, I hated it. So I never really did unless it was truly a need. When you think of someone without a home, many things probably go through your mind. Dirty, messy, sick people. I tried as best I could to not be that. You could say that I almost looked like a person with a home. This is why I barely was asked if I needed help, money, or food.
          The sun set on the city and buildings lit up along with apartment buildings and street lights. I left my bench and went to find a new sleep spot. It was safer this way, changing where I slept every night. I hardly got into trouble but others liked to start problems so it was best to always be moving. I walked the sidewalk and passed retail stores and fancy restaurants. Passing tourists and couples, giving them smiles. The city was so fast paced but in December at night, the atmosphere slowed down. It was calmer, quieter, there was almost a slight sense of magic.
          In the distance, I saw a place I could possibly stay the night. My pace quickened with the fear of someone taking my new spot. One of my favorite things during night was to see apartment lights on. Christmas trees in the windows with happy families surrounding them. I thought about what it would be like to have my own family, I despised when my mind went there. Pinching myself, I forgot about my new sleep spot and ran over to it. No one there. Just me. I set my stuff down and laid down on the pavement. I rested my head on my bag, shut my eyes and entered my dreams. Home.