At the holidays, Donald D’Haene feels particularly moved to help homeless people.
‘Tis the season to be jolly, right?
Any day I wake up above ground, I’m happy. I know too many dead men and women walking. Nothing reminds me more of this than this time of year.
♦◊♦
Last week a few of my friends and I each bought twenty separate five-dollar Tim Horton’s cards to hand out to the homeless. Repeatedly warned, “They will refuse them. They only want cash to waste on cigs, booze or drugs,” I was prepared for anything.
The day before we headed downtown, I went to my bank and someone outside asked for money. My immediate thoughts were the old and new messages that rang in my head but then I remembered I had the $5 Timmy cards right in my coat pocket so I asked, “What’s the money for?” The man answers, “For some food.” “OK, will a Tim Horton’s card do?”
I can’t believe I was afraid of his reaction but to my delight his face lit up, and after many thanks, my only thought was, “Tomorrow’s blitz for the homeless just might work out!”
And work out it did. I think many of the homeless we greeted had never been offered a Tim’s card before. It’s an idea that can be paid forward. If you feel people who ask for money will waste it, this is one way to feel better about giving in this unique way. I learned that forty years ago when I read Ann Landers state that her father would never reject someone who begged for something—he would take them and get them something. Then it was their choice to say yes or no but he felt better knowing that if they accepted the offer he did the right thing.
Lander’s father was moved by his conscience; my concern for the homeless is not altruistic. I know what feeds my desire to do something, anything for fellow human beings who have nothing: guilt, responsibility, memories—knowing that only by the grace of God go I.
You see, my youngest brother, Erik, has been living off and on the streets for thirty years, the last two decades in Vancouver.
My family hasn’t seen him in fifteen years.
♦◊♦
A couple of years ago I wanted to donate some money to the Kettle Friendship Society that feeds the homeless in Vancouver like my brother.
Unfortunately around that time and the second last time I spoke to my brother (when he called collect from a phone booth), he told me he was banned from the “Kettle” because of fighting with another guest. So, it didn’t make sense to send them money when he couldn’t even get in the door to benefit from their services.
So I thought of something else. The Palace Theatre on Dundas Street here in London, Ontario, were continuing their restoration process. They were refurbishing seats at $200 a pop. My brother’s name is on one of those seats now—a small plaque. I wanted him to somehow have something permanent, something to say, yes, you were here; you matter.
Or was it me that wanted—needed—something permanent?
That’s what you do when you have a loved one you can’t reach, someone who lives on a street with no name. You crave something tangible. Well, you do during the moments that aren’t spent dreading an imaginary phone call that will tell you somebody found their body.
Erik’s life on the street actually began soon after a call I received in 1982, when he was fifteen.
“Your brother took an overdose of drugs and is barely hanging on to life. We’ve transported him to a London hospital. Meanwhile, I would prepare funeral arrangements.”
It’s difficult to describe the 30 years since that moment. A perpetual suicide watch. It’s unfortunate too many know exactly how my family feels. It’s like walking around with a knife in your heart. You laugh, you live, but it’s always there.
Last Christmas, I received an email from a Living Waters Mission minister in Vancouver telling me she had seen Erik.
“He is not well, but he is alive. He is staying at a hotel … ”
By an odd coincidence, that same weekend I attended a musical, South Pacific. These words kept ringing thereafter in my head:
“Once you have found him,
Never let him go.
Once you have found him,
Never let him go!”
I contacted Gloria, this minister, or “angel” as I saw her, and asked, “If I send you a money order, would you treat yourself and Erik to the biggest buffet dinner you can find in Vancouver.”
She took my brother to Uncle Willy’s in Burnaby. She didn’t tell him until he was done his meal that I had arranged it and thankfully, rather than be upset, he was thrilled.
Remember I mentioned craving something tangible.
Gloria sent an attachment: a photograph of my brother sitting across from her in the restaurant toasting her.
The first photograph we have of our brother in years.
Now that I had a definite address a friend visiting Vancouver took a care package to the hotel for me and found out that The New Dodson Hotel was owned by Christian entrepreneurs who had bought the hotel to improve the quality of life for a lucky few in Vancouver’s poorest neighbourhood.
I just sent a care package from my family and the hotel staff were kind enough to let me know it had arrived. And even better, I talked to Erik for the first time in years. My sister happened to be visiting so Erik was able to talk to his mother and two siblings. It was great and odd at the same time.
It was obvious my brother still has so many issues that I can’t begin to help solve with 2614 miles between us.
But knowing Erik is alive and has a roof over his head, and hearing his voice, I can finally take the knife out my heart.
Erik is still a prisoner of his own war. But for yet another year, he hasn’t been declared its casualty.
Read more on The Good Life.
Images courtesy of the author
Hi Donald, Just discovered this wonderful story on my page “Suicide Shatters” hidden in the spam section. I’ve unmarked it today and it shows on the wall dated Dec. 28th, but also decided to re-share it so it goes out to members on their newsfeeds today. Really enjoyed your informative post, loved the suggestion of the $5 Tim card and enjoyed you educating on the struggles the homeless face as well as their families. Wasn’t able to tag your name on my FB fanpage, so wanted to let you know I’d read your post. So glad you were able to… Read more »
Donald,
We need magic rescuers. We really do !
I’ll be praying for Erik and you.
Thanks so much Rob…I so wish Erik could know how many people care!