Bessie May Berger, Homeless at 97, Begging in LA Area

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bessie16-2009oct16,0,3547096,full.story

Woman, 97, has a front seat to homelessness
Bessie Mae Berger and her two sons, 60 and 62, live in a rusty 1973 Suburban. Getting a place is hard because they insist on staying together.
Bessie, 97 and homeless

Bessie Mae Berger sleeps in the front seat of the 1973 Chevolet Suburban she shares with sons Larry Wilkerson, 60, and Charlie Wilkerson, 62.
By Bob Pool

October 16, 2009
She's 97 years old and homeless. Bessie Mae Berger has her two boys, and that's about all.

She and sons Larry Wilkerson, 60, and Charlie Wilkerson, 62, live in a 1973 Chevrolet Suburban they park each night on a busy Venice street.

For the most part, it's a lonely life -- days spent passing the time away in public parks, parking lots and shopping centers around the Westside.

Occasionally, when they need cash, Bessie sits by the side of the road and seeks handouts. She holds a cardboard sign in her lap: "I am 97 years old. Homeless. Broke. Need help please."

This has attracted attention -- both wanted and unwanted.

More at link above.

I just am curious if anyone has heard this and what your feelings are on it. I guess it just made me sad. It also made me think, at 97, I would hope I would have someplace to call "Home" and not just a place to live. It also made me think, just when I think I have it bad, there is ALWAYS someone who has it worse. I mean a lot worse. There are so many circumstances I can think of that would be worse. I am grateful for what I have. Call it GOD, luck, fate or what have you, I am grateful.

Thoughts anyone????

Hi Tracey~

Sadly, this is a growing concern for all of us. I read the entire article and was both really sad and really angry.

She gave birth to 11 children. Where are the other 9? Why in the world has she been left out in the elements when she has adult children?


There were times in my life that I did not like my mom very much. She had times she did not like me much. But we both always LOVED each other and would have done anything in the world for each other. Why aren't these kids doing something?

I really hope somebody can do something to help this family out. Our elderly should never, ever have to go through this.

Whats that saying? There but for the grace of GOD go I?
The story sure brings that home in a big way.

It made me sad and mad, too. The article said she has eight living children, but doesn't keep in contact with the other 6. It's just crazy that they'd rather stay together in a truck than separate and have a place to live. I'm sure it isn't good for her health. Poor thing. And yes, I feel so grateful for what I have. I am going to pray for a home for Bessie.

Tracey6434 wrote:http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bessie16-2009oct16,0,3547096,full.story

Woman, 97, has a front seat to homelessness
Bessie Mae Berger and her two sons, 60 and 62, live in a rusty 1973 Suburban. Getting a place is hard because they insist on staying together.
Bessie, 97 and homeless

Bessie Mae Berger sleeps in the front seat of the 1973 Chevolet Suburban she shares with sons Larry Wilkerson, 60, and Charlie Wilkerson, 62.
By Bob Pool

October 16, 2009
She's 97 years old and homeless. Bessie Mae Berger has her two boys, and that's about all.

She and sons Larry Wilkerson, 60, and Charlie Wilkerson, 62, live in a 1973 Chevrolet Suburban they park each night on a busy Venice street.

For the most part, it's a lonely life -- days spent passing the time away in public parks, parking lots and shopping centers around the Westside.

Occasionally, when they need cash, Bessie sits by the side of the road and seeks handouts. She holds a cardboard sign in her lap: "I am 97 years old. Homeless. Broke. Need help please."

This has attracted attention -- both wanted and unwanted.

More at link above.

I just am curious if anyone has heard this and what your feelings are on it. I guess it just made me sad. It also made me think, at 97, I would hope I would have someplace to call "Home" and not just a place to live. It also made me think, just when I think I have it bad, there is ALWAYS someone who has it worse. I mean a lot worse. There are so many circumstances I can think of that would be worse. I am grateful for what I have. Call it GOD, luck, fate or what have you, I am grateful.

Thoughts anyone????

Hi, Tracey!

Thanks for posting this story for us. This is one of the most heartbreaking stories that I've read in quite some time. Can't welfare help them? Surely there must be some type of shelter that can provide for them? This is why I always count my blessings. I try very hard not to feel sorry for myself. God Bless that poor woman, and her two sons. I'm definitely going to keep them in my prayers.