Get the feedIf Stella May had enough....
Friday, Jan 09th 2009
I just read an article in today’s Boston Globe about a spirited homeless woman, Stella May Brown Weaco, who died on New Year’s Eve at the age of 67. She lived on the streets, pushing her carriage with all her belongings for 25 years (maybe more), declining offers for shelter even on the most bitterly cold winter nights.
“We would offer her food and a blanket, and she would always be exquisitely polite and always smile,” said Jim O’Connell, president of Boston Health Care for the Homeless.
The article quoted person after person speaking about Stella with great affection, repeatedly mentioning her kindness, dignity and smile - “She’s grace on the streets,” “She was just an outstanding lady who made an impression on me,” “Stella was a great woman who quietly taught people life lessons,” “There’s so many people in the city who knew her, loved her, cared for her.”
Only when she became sick with cancer, she began living in assisted living centers and finally, the hospital. When a friend visited her at a rehab center recently and asked her if she needed anything, Stella said, “You know Sharon, I don’t need a thing. I have enough.”
I look around my house, with Christmas gifts strewn about and wonder, if Stella May had enough….
Jean Yih Kingston
Jean Kingston, who co-founded SixSeeds, spends many of her waking hours in her SUV hauling carloads of children to various and sundry playing fields across the state of Massachusetts. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.
Comments
There are no comments at the moment.
Post Your Comment
Got something to say? Join the conversation by adding your comment below. Name, email and comment are required.