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In the face, the Other expresses his eminence, the dimension of height and divinity from which he descends. — Emmanuel Levinas, Totality and Infinity, 262 On Wednesday, Dec. 23, Robert Heilbroner of Talent wrote a thoughtful, benevolent and challenging guest opinion about Ashland’s “travelers” (i.e., persons living without stable residences, on the streets). The title started with the words, “living together.” Both words — “living” and “together” — captured the tone and imperative of Mr. Heilbroner’s reflections. “These people exist,” he observed. In other words, they are and they are among us. It was a poignant way to bring home key realities — they are people, and they exist in our midst. The towering 20th-century French philosopher, Emmanuel Levinas, saw deeply into the sacred truth of the “other.” Each person has a “face” — not just the physical visage, but metaphorically a sacred identity with an eternal destiny. This “other” demands (Levinas’s teaching) our attention and, in the final analysis, our love. Of course, loving the other is as hard as it is simple. It requires that we cultivate a deeper way of seeing him (or her) — past his immediate appearance and circumstances. As a dear friend and wise woman, Harriet Saturen, once said, we might “imagine this person as a newborn infant — right from the heart of God.” This sacred seeing, as with every way of conscious being, develops over time, with awareness and practice. Those without stable homes/residences, who we meet on our streets, can test our capacity to see in a sacred manner. Do I see their inner beauty, perhaps “masked”? Am I able to glimpse the pure “face” of this “other,” imagining this person as a newborn infant — precious, dependent and unique? I have encountered many of our community’s homeless through a Thursday afternoon soup-sandwich meal that I serve at the Ashland Community Resource Center on Clover Lane. I have come to see their wondrous diversity, courtesy, gratitude, resourcefulness, and resiliency. After serving the group recently, I packed up a box of food items to take to Pioneer Hall for the overnight stay. As I was about to pick up the large box, a bearded young man approached me and asked, “Sir, would you like me to carry that for you?" My immediate thought was to smile and say, “No, thanks. I can manage.” Then, it occurred to me that this young man — in his kindness — wanted to do this gesture for me. “Sure,” I said. “Thank you!” I held the door as he carried the box to my car. After putting the box in the back seat, he and I had a brief and sweet dialogue. I learned his name, and he learned mine. We shared best wishes as I left. Since, I have encountered him several times on the streets in Ashland. Each time, he exclaims joyfully, “Daniel, how are you today?” I return the question, we shake hands. Each time, my heart rejoices in knowing him, in seeing him, and being seen by him. Do we have the eyes to see the other person? Through this seeing, we will find ways to live together. Thank you, Mr. Heilbroner, for humanizing this important discussion. You helped me to see better. Daniel Murphy lives in Ashland.