The Newspaper of Wayfarer's House
April, 1998 Issue  /  Esther Smith, Editor

Welcome to new residents Tomey, Joyce, Laura II, Natalie, Cindy and LaWanna. Welcome and farewell to short-time residents Nancy Ruth, Sheree, Teri, Paula, Sandra, Jessica and Markie. More farewells and good wishes to Tina and Carrie, Gayle, Dawn, Laura I, Pat, Debbie, and Maggie and Trevis. Trish is taking the "Exploring Business" course at the Family Support Center located in Hollingsworth Manor. She takes her toddler, Jerek, and infant, Shalena, with her because the center provides child care. Trish really likes the course and believes it will be very helpful in seeking employment. Spring cleaning and yard work are going on at the house; our thanks to all who are helping, especially to Tomey for the scrubbed porch and Kristin for the clean dining room. Leona Papagno has put some of the residents' art work on Meeting Ground's web page: www.meetingground.org is our site. Kristin and Gayle spoke about homelessness in a dialogue on local radio station WSER last month. Since March 16, Dr. Joshua Aaron, a Union Hospital physician and pulmonary specialist, has been holding a free medical clinic at the House for residents on Mondays, 2-4 p.m. Please sign up as early as possible for appointments. Wish list: dish washing detergent, laundry soap, bleach, spring- cleaning supplies, gardening tools and supplies, charcoal grill supplies, paper products, and a wheel chair.

House news as well as Ups & Downs planning and editing assistance is courtesy of Sharon Gatelein-Walker.

A SAFE HAVEN
by Kristin Boulden

After reflecting on my stay at Wayfarers', I felt comfortable with myself and the house. After some deeper looking, however, I had to face the truth I didn't like. Due to a medical problem on my part and being misinformed on another situation I didn't treat a couple of people with the open, kind reception I received on my arrival. I generally try to live by the Golden Rule: treat others as you would like to be treated. Obviously each of us has a situation that brought us here. Ideally each of us would receive a warm welcome on arrival. This should be a new beginning, a clean slate. Our pasts should be just that, the past. Maybe if we all look on our first days here , we can remember a warm reception; at least I hope it was for everyone. Mine was. It must be especially hard for people on their second visits. A hardship occurred that necessitated coming back. These people need extra warmth and comfort.

I am also a firm believer in "What goes around comes around." I will try my best from now on to be a kind, supportive person to others in my stay here. Surely only goodness can come to me for this. My wish is that we can do this. Imagine the peacefulness this attitude would generate. I pray for this for each of us. It can be a learning experience that will serve us well when we move on. Each drop of kindness a person gives can make not only our own lives richer, but the world as whole. We have a gift to give. Let's give it!

The poem that follows is a favorite of Kristin, author of the preceding essay. U&D has printed two previous selections she likes and now includes this one, author unknown:

Be gentle, Friend.
For every person you meet is fighting his own battle, and needs the touch of love that says with silent eloquence, "I care."
Be gentle.

The battle-scarred need healing more than guns. Your words of tenderness can mend beyond the power of surgeon's skill.
Be gentle.

Bees come to clover sooner than to acid rain, and wounded hearts shut tight for fear of hurting will open up to kindness like dandelions greet the rising sun.
Be gentle, Friend,

and measure not by what you see for every person walks a lonely road somewhere within the silent deepness of his soul.
Be gentle,

As He who taught you how to love was gentle. The hurting around you look with longing for some sign in you that Christ is Real.
Be gentle, friend,

Because within your gentleness there lies the power to lift the hearts of all persons toward God.