I received this email this morning from Huntington resident, Mary Clayborn, who is a neighborhood advocate for our hometown and a member of Create Huntington:
"The morning is cool and overcast as we started out a very normal morning. Knowing our routine would be broken for a few minutes at the bank, we were ready to get on with our day. Jaylen, my two-year old granddaughter, is already excited about saying good morning to everyone, and "bye-bye" to mommy, as we arrive to drop my daughter off for her work day.
Jaylen and I are taking our time meandering home this morning. The van is quiet except for Jaylen singing and playing in her car seat. The dogs are lying on the floor, the van is warm, and all is well. We are safe and loved.
The window of the world opened up for me, as I was sitting at the light beside the TTA terminal. A woman and man were busy getting ready for their day. I had a birds eye view of their makeshift bedroom, and the world did too, if it were only to stop for a moment to see this sight.
The woman was picking up their bed clothes from a night's sleep. The man gently helped her up off of their bed. As she put away their belongings. she stowed them away, as if they were the most valuable possessions they owned. I was so mesmerized by this sight. I pulled the van over and continued to watch this event unfold before my eyes. They didn't stop at the bathroom to brush their teeth, or to wash up in the bathroom. They didn't stop by the kitchen to get a fresh cup of coffee, or grab a slice of toast. They took their time getting their belongings together. As they got ready to leave their home for the day. They spoke a few words to one another. They reached for one another to hug and give a big kiss.
The woman stood alone and watched her man off to parts unknown. She watched him until he was out of sight as though she was a mother seeing her child off to school. She had two large ferns with her as she began to move slowly down the alley. I could not help but be touched by the display of gentle care I had witnessed between these two homeless people.
Their bedroom is the world ... not inside a safe house. Their bathroom is wherever they can find one. Their kitchen is a convenience store, if they have enough aluminum cans to sell for the day for money to buy food at the store. They will eat whatever they can find, and will be content to find one another at the end of the day.
I could not help but notice her clothes were thin and very worn. I drove around the street and stopped the van and ask if she would except some warm clothes. She accepted my love gift of clothing that had been donated the day before ... almost the size she could wear. Such a tiny lady.
I ask her if she needed a coat, and she said she did. She said she could wear a large jacket and her husband could wear a 2x in men's. She in turn asked me if I could help her with a blanket, or two, because the nights now get cold. As, I watched her go down the alley. I was reminded that love is a gift and a treasure for us to find and hold onto. I knew in my heart that today I would search by emails and phone calls for two coats and some blankets to return tonight back to the "bedroom of the world" to see Cheyenne and her husband ... with a little bit of help and a whole lot of love.
As we drove away, our van was still warm, and Jaylen was talking to one of the dogs, which had gotten up to see why the motion of the van had stopped. We slowly started our journey back home to our warm comfy place for the day. I felt warm and good inside as we continued our drive, knowing that I had just met the most impressive person of the day ... Cheyenne. She had the biggest and brightest smile, one I have not seen on any one's face in a very long time.
She is homeless, and she has no immediate family to trust and rely on, except for her husband. However, Cheyenne has that one precious thing, love. We all dream about love, but they have it.
They lost their jobs several years ago and became homeless. I was also reminded to tell each one of you whether I know you personally, or not, you matter to me."
Sincerely,
Mary
Note - Mary needs two blankets and two Jackets - size large for a woman and size 2x for a man - for this couple. Call her at 304-781-1061, and she will pick them up.