Featured Vendor: Michael Labrie

By Michael Labrie
Homeless Writer

Attitude is everything. How you approach life defines not only who you are, but also how people view you. I must admit, when I first completed the vendor orientation I was eager to get started. My attitude was “let’s sell them all today!” I figured I could make my mark in the Vanderbilt area and set out for 21st avenue with a fresh optimism and great attitude. The funny thing about attitudes, though, is that they can change instantly. And optimism, like milk, will sour if you let your guard down. And I did.

For two days I sought out that perfect spot, always finding excuses why each location wouldn’t do. The truth was I was afraid. Afraid of what people would think. Afraid of putting that dang sign around my neck. Afraid of myself, until finally I decided I wouldn’t be able to do this after all. It was on my way back to the office to return the papers when I passed the West End McDonald’s. I decided I owed it to myself and all concerned to give it a shot. I stood there like the idiot only I can be for an entire five minutes before someone bought a paper.

I felt embarrassed, jubilant, humiliated, and triumphant all rolled in one as I collected the dollar and gave the paper. Thereafter it became a job—my job. Delivering the news of the homeless, the views and the events. It was a cause I knew much about. Sometimes I would stand for ten hours to make seven dollars and deal with people telling me to get a job. Sometimes it would rain, sometimes it was too hot—didn’t matter, there I was.

My first full month I sold 310 papers and earned claim to my location. Something else also happened: I started making friends and looking forward to seeing them. Many passersby also stop to chat and I now know several of them by name. I have started to see an unexpected but blessed trend towards caring. I am given gifts, food, and tips. I truly believe I’ve witnessed the heart and soul of Nashville, the inherent goodness of a caring community. I feel not only blessed, but lucky—very lucky.

The McDonald’s where I vend is very supportive and very professional as well. I mean that restaurant is professional from the bottom up! My parents stayed in a Ronald McDonald house outside of Boston when my youngest brother, who was born when I was a senior in high school, was dying of leukemia. This crew continues the tradition of caring and I thank them all.

I wrote my first article using my online screen name Ransom Tyler. In that article I told you how my life has seen its share of trials and tribulations. I mention it because people still tip me and tell me to do the right thing, to spend it on food or whatever. Those detoxes, programs, and arrests ended in ‘95 when I got saved. Fifteen years is a legitimate claim, ‘nuff said?

It hasn’t been all rosy; there are some very hard days, days when I’m so discouraged it’s unbearable, yet I press on. I know I will succeed in overcoming these obstacles in my life, but one thing you can be sure of, it won’t be my doing alone. I’m continually lifted and amazed and in this holiday season I’m writing to thank all my customers, all of Nashville for the support and love they’ve shown me. God bless you all.