He was my roommate, technically.
Leonard was always beaming with a big smile, even at 4:30 in the morning. That’s when he was already up and getting ready to go to work downtown to sell Street Sense. That was his passion, so much that he’d work seven days a week. The people he met brought happiness to his life, and he was working hard toward his goals of getting his real estate career on track and, eventually, a home.
You might have seen him selling papers around M St and 18th or 19th Streets NW. When I first met him, I didn’t even know he was homeless or working at Street Sense Media. Very few people knew he was sleeping in a shelter. He always handled himself professionally, without coming off as someone who is homeless and living that hard, stressful life.
The more I got to know him, the more he opened up. He would talk about things like trying to reunite with his wife and getting his life together.
Every day, at 10 a.m., sharp, Leonard would stop by the Street Sense Media offices from a hard morning’s work, with that big smile, jubilant at how many papers he sold. He would then count his earnings and put them away safely. Half an hour later, he’d turn on the big computer in the lounge and watch some of his favorite shows and movies, usually while I lay down across the room to sleep.
He would always ask me if I needed something to eat, he always had plenty of food with him. As I went to sleep, he would watch my belongings and make sure I was safe.
Leonard Hyater Jr. passed away July 13, 2018. Rest in peace, my friend. We will always miss you.
