The Street Person - The Independent

People do admit that conception occurs during fertilization but they reason out that the fetus is completely dependent on the mother and thus, has no right yet.
We are all dependent in some way to others in different stages of our lives. Even the rich may not be able to make it on his/her own and would probably not make it without his/her gadgets or househelps.
We are not absolutely dependent and not absolutely independent. If independence is the measure of personhood and quality of life, the street person would rank the highest. He is not dependent on the climate. He can eat or go hungry. He can take a bath or not, it doesn't matter. He is not dependent on the economy or whoever is elected. Yes, the street person is free, absolutely independent... because he doesn't care. He doesn't care who lives or dies. He doesn't care if he lives or dies. He doesn't care.
And yet, this street person who is so independent when picked up and brought to the shelter by Mother Teresa and her missionaries, this street person was willing to give up his independence. He depended on the sisters for food and bath but he was happy. Even if Mother Teresa would talk about the loving God in heaven, the street person was interested in living. Why? Because he wants to be with her.
The street person received care and became capable of caring. He lost a part of his independence but he learned to be connected with other human beings.
Loving entails losing a part of our independence but it certainly is worth living for.