Richard

Meet Richard- My family and I first met this man in 1997 at the corner of Alhambra and K st. My mother enjoyed calling him Santa Claus, so brother and I playfully followed. We would give our change to him after visiting the grocery store and were always delighted by his company. There was no doubt you could find his tall stature, top hat and big hands waiting to be greeted.

Years went on and I would find myself continuing to say hello to him on my bike rides as a teen and into adult years. Then one day I asked him his name; I figured I’d give him a proper name other than ‘Santa’. He replied “Richard”, calmly staring at my presence. I sat down with him and ask what he was working on. He had an acoustic guitar, a medium sized saw and his large English hands for tools. He spoke in an English accent and of God. What he was making was a Ukulele, which I’ve seen him play throughout the years.

Richard hasn’t been as active lately, sleeping a lot in the same area of Alhambra and Kst and walking slowly to and from Sutter’s Fort, the old Blimpie and the bus station on J and 28th that is no longer active. I hope he is well; if you see him, bring him a sandwich. He likes italian subs.