I saw an alcoholic today at the tram stop. He was crouching next to the bench fingering some change and shaking. I felt bad for him as it was clear that he was suffering. As the tram approached he got up and began pacing about a bit, anxious. His lip was quivering and he bit it. I wondered if he was really an alcoholic or if he just had some kind of movement disorder but I suspected my judgment was right. We boarded the tram. We got off the tram at the same stop and headed into the grocery store. I wanted some green beans for dinner. I knew I was right about him then but followed him to the alcohol section where he selected a single warm beer and headed towards the checkout. I wanted to tell him to seek some help but I didn't really think it would help him and wasn't sure he would speak English. I really need to learn Dutch but I know he would have to come to help on his own. I figured the beer was probably just enough to stop the tremors. I hoped that rock bottom for him didn't involve death.

It made me sad to see another being suffering so much but I really didn't know what else to do. I bought my green beans and came home but I am not the same as when I left the university. The world seems smaller and full of more pain then it did before.