“We were like sisters”
Wednesday (October 28) community lunch started out
like any other - people gathering in the reception area, lots of busy
conversation, laughter, everyone waiting for the noon meal to be served.Across the room, Brenda, a long
time volunteer at 6 St. Joseph House, looks at another woman seated near the
window. She seems vaguely familiar, but nothing registers right away. Brenda
usually volunteers on Tuesdays, but this week she’s come on Wednesday to help
put the lunch together.Marcia, seated by the window,
usually volunteers on Thursdays but this week she’s decided to come on
Wednesday. Until today their paths have never crossed. Brenda walks into the reception
area. “Good morning, everyone.” Marcia replies, “No, it’s
afternoon.”Brenda replies back, “No, it’s
not. It’s not 12pm yet, it’s still morning.”Brenda looks closely at Marcia for
the first time and says, “I know your face from somewhere.” “Is your name
Marcia?” Brenda asks. “Yes, it is, I’m Marcia. Is your name Brenda? My goodness
you’ve gained weight, you used to be so skinny, I didn’t recognize you at
first!” The two women squeal and fling their arms around each other.The women recognize each other at
this point but have not yet put the pieces together. Where do they know each
other from?Marcia asks, “Do you have two boys
named Paul and Cory?” “Did you used to live in Cabbagetown?”“Yes, yes,” Brenda answers, “those
are my boys!” “You have a son too, how old is he now?” she asks. “He’s 24 now.
He volunteers at the Salvation Army and will be graduating from the social work
program at Everest College in the new year.”
“How are your boys?”“One is married now, he’s 27,
works for the TTC, his wife is in full time nursing school. The other is 25,
still single. They’re both working, so that’s good.”“I remember when Brenda’s mother
came to visit from Guyana many years ago. She stayed for 3 months to help her
with the children after she separated from her husband. As young single
mothers, the women often relied on each other for moral support. “We went to
parks together, played with the kids, did our shopping and cooking together,
went to Riverdale Farm, we just loved being together. We were an incredible
support for each other, we were like sisters.
But like many people in life, the women eventually lost track of each
other as life moved forward. But they never forgot each other and because of 6
St. Joseph House, they once again have their friendship back after over 25 long
years, something very special indeed.
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