The Tale of George

George is a very dear man. He and I talked philosophies for hours. Sometimes laughing, sometimes serious enough to change the world. We lived in the same subsidized apartment. That was until a much younger and larger man intimidated and bullied George.

George being a former policeman in South America, he didn't take kindly to being bullied and when he defended himself, he was the one to be evicted - in October - just before the snow.

So, George was out on the street. Confusingly, he was able to finance a van that he decided he was going to live in - over winter. He had done it when he was younger! Now, of course at the age of 81 years old and being about 100 pounds, it was more difficult. Thus, after he appealed to agencies and churches, he was accepted into a shelter.

The shelter housed 40-50 men who were becoming sober. George explained there was a lot of tension and tempers were rampant. Plus, there were only two toilets and three showers!

Not knowing the situation, months later, I wondered how George was doing. Thinking he was in a comfortable subsidized apartment, I requested a visit. Wrong! When he told me the truth, David and I both dedicated ourselves to finding George a proper home.

He received two phone calls and we took him to Grace Manor for an interview with the property manager. She heard George's plight and offered him a beautiful bachelor suite right away. Naturally, George needed a damage deposit and rent upfront. A church blessed him with a monetary gift. After signing the lease papers, George smiled and blessed his new home.

We then applied to the Provincial government for a bed for George.

Later, in a text, George wrote, "I assembled the bed today and it will be my first night to sleep in a new comfortable bed since I came to Canada 35 years ago. God bless you."

As told by Ellen Scott