Making Life a Little Brighter
Two women who have decided they're not yet candidates for rest homes, to be carefully looked after by those whose job it is to care for the elderly, daily practise their Christian faith. They're 90 and 84 years of age. And they have committed themselves to going out on the mean streets that customarily house moving foot traffic and vehicles, but also all too often the homeless. It is the homeless they are concerned with.
They spend three hours daily walking along the downtown streets of Ottawa where they know they will find the regulars with whom they've become familiar, and who have both accepted and anticipate their presence. For they bring with them good cheer, voluble greetings, as well as sandwiches, juice boxes and clean, new socks for distribution to these people who have no homes other than the public streets.
They are associated with the Ottawa Innercity Ministries, an organization that depends upon volunteer assistance and resources to help make the lives of those who have no homes somewhat more palatable. Certainly, informing them in their inimitable way that they are not forgotten. They greet old familiar faces, and offer something to eat; a packet of candies, chocolate bars, sandwiches.
They trundle along behind them a dolly, carrying their supplies to be handed out to their street acquaintances. These two elderly women, themselves in evident and outstandingly good health, determined to make life a little more cheerful for those who cannot fend for themselves, go out of their way to meet and greet people who live squalid, hopeless lives of misery that most of us go out of our way to avoid.
Loris Jordan was a former nurse, and she ministers to slight cuts and abrasions of those who need attention. She carries Polysporin with her for that purpose. They know everyone by name, for long acquaintance builds familiarity. They have patient tolerance for those who, even before noon, are already inebriated and in very high spirits.
They believe that what they are doing in assisting others is more beneficial to themselves, a balm for their own souls, than it is for those to whom they turn their attention. Two outstandingly good souls at an advanced age that would keep most people comfortable and secure in their own homes, not out and about to make life a little brighter for others.
Florence Hannay, 90, left, and Loris Jordan, 84, centre, great 'Rob' on Bank Street Wednesday. The women spend their days making and delivering sandwiches, snacks and supplies to various street people downtown.Photograph by: Wayne Cuddington, The Ottawa Citizen
They are associated with the Ottawa Innercity Ministries, an organization that depends upon volunteer assistance and resources to help make the lives of those who have no homes somewhat more palatable. Certainly, informing them in their inimitable way that they are not forgotten. They greet old familiar faces, and offer something to eat; a packet of candies, chocolate bars, sandwiches.
They trundle along behind them a dolly, carrying their supplies to be handed out to their street acquaintances. These two elderly women, themselves in evident and outstandingly good health, determined to make life a little more cheerful for those who cannot fend for themselves, go out of their way to meet and greet people who live squalid, hopeless lives of misery that most of us go out of our way to avoid.
Loris Jordan was a former nurse, and she ministers to slight cuts and abrasions of those who need attention. She carries Polysporin with her for that purpose. They know everyone by name, for long acquaintance builds familiarity. They have patient tolerance for those who, even before noon, are already inebriated and in very high spirits.
They believe that what they are doing in assisting others is more beneficial to themselves, a balm for their own souls, than it is for those to whom they turn their attention. Two outstandingly good souls at an advanced age that would keep most people comfortable and secure in their own homes, not out and about to make life a little brighter for others.
Labels: Human Relations, Ottawa
posted by Pieface @ 6:29 PM
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