Robert...One Year Later

Via Flickr:
I see him often and was hoping to see him again today. As I exited the train station, there he was. Our eyes met and he smiled as I approached him. "Good morning Robert", I said. "Do you know what today is?" He promptly replied, "Friday". "Do you know what else today is?" He looked at me with a puzzled expression until I told him that a year ago today we first met and I took his picture. "Then, it's our anniversary", he chuckled.

As I often do when I see Robert, I went back to McDonald's, his favorite restaurant, and bought him breakfast. When I returned, we spoke for a while about the past year. Robert told me he still has the pictures I took of him a year ago and was just looking at them this week. I asked and he agreed to let me take a few more photos.

We talked a short while longer, I wished him a good weekend and he wished me a happy anniversary. I gave him multiples of $2, we shook hands and agreed to "celebrate" again next year.

3/23/12

Robert

This afternoon (Friday), I looked out my office window and there he was again - standing in his regular spot.  I walked down to see him.  He was friendly, I was more comfortable.  He was hungry, I bought him two cheeseburgers.  I asked his age, he asked mine.  When I asked to take some more photos, he smiled.  Robert is 50 years old and has some family in Kentucky.  He lives in a shelter and takes the bus downtown.  He became disabled from a car accident 20 years ago and hasn't been able to work.  We talked a few minutes more, I gave him multiples of $2 and wished him a good weekend.  He smiled again and said, "Thank you and G-d bless."

3/25/11 - Week 12
Last shot not with this week's theme.  I was compelled to finish this short series.

Superman = Robert

As I was getting ready to leave the office on Thursday afternoon, I looked out my window and there was Superman standing right near where we first met.  I quickly printed off a copy of his picture and walked down to give it to him.  Just as I stopped, a fellow walked by, dropped a dollar in Superman's cup and said, "have a good evening Robert."  When Superman saw my questioning eyes, he chuckled and admitted his name was Robert.  I asked him how he came to be known as Superman and he pointed to a carving in the stone where he stood that said "Superman", logo and all.  We laughed about that together, I gave him $2, didn't take a picture and turned to walk on toward the train.  He said to me, "God bless, Picture Guy".

3/24/11 - Week 12
Another shot that isn't with the theme - but posted for continuity reasons.