HN PHOTOS: Found her!

HN PHOTOS: 4:00 a.m. and all’s quiet in downtown Hyannis…

HYANNIS – [HN NOTES] – She moves pretty fast for an old gal, God bless her…

Thanks to funds raised by Hyannis News readers, Mary made it through a very difficult winter. Courtney and Linda volunteered their free time to keep track of her and make sure she had a warm room inside the Hyannis Plaza Hotel. But it wasn’t easy…

The main goal was to help Mary get through the winter without her freezing to death… and that goal, thankfully, was accomplished. There were challenges getting her to accept help because she’s a very independent lady and when she makes her mind up about something, it’s best to sometimes let things ride.

One evening, Mary came down with a very high fever and everyone tried to convince her to go down to the hospital, to no avail. Mary insisted it was just a cold and not the dreaded “’Rona” and basically kicked everyone out of her hotel room. Officials and local experts showed up at her door and she, in so many colorful words, basically told everyone to scram. And just about everyone reluctantly wrote her off as a goner. Even I blessed myself and said, “Welp, there’s nothing left to do now girls but pray…”

The next day I spoke with Mary on the phone and she said she felt better and I was still a little skeptical… but sure enough, as the long winter days wore on, the tough old gal managed to astound us all by rallying and coming out fit as a fiddle – and as jolly and sometimes ornery as ever – a fever of 105 would surely have killed the average woman, but not Mary!

“She’s an independent lady and it’s sometimes best to let things ride – you don’t want to get her fired up,” I reminded the others.

Of course, the situation regarding Mary is very complicated and Courtney and Linda had hoped to get her into some kind of permanent shelter. But those notions never made their way to full fruition… and some of us were a little disappointed and frustrated. But one has to meet the homeless where they are and realize there are sometimes very complicated reasons why some end up and remain on the streets. I reminded her volunteer helpers that the main goal was to prevent Mary from freezing to death. And it was a “mission accomplished,” thanks to generous HN readers and the selfless efforts of Courtney and Linda.

The hotel room funds ran out just in time for spring’s less frigid overnights. And Mary moved from her usual bench in front of the Egg & I restaurant to another top secret location. Mary and I speak by phone and on her last call she mentioned she had a new hideout. It took me a while to find it, but I did. The top HN Photo is from yesterday morning. Mary was sound asleep when I came to visit and I didn’t want to disturb her. But she did mention over the phone that her legs were starting to bother her again. (In the summer of 2020, HN readers helped Mary into a hotel room so she could heal her legs from infection…) Courtney and Linda are still working with her and I’m told Elderly Services has been reaching out as well. At some point – especially as the weather heats up – and especially if all else fails and Elderly Services are unable to get her help – it may be necessary for Courtney and Linda to have another fundraiser to at least provide respite from the heat so that her wounds stand a better chance at healing.

Again, I’d like to recognize the selfless efforts of Courtney Craddock and Linda Pyne-Bonia for literally going above and beyond (quite often way “after hours”) to save Mary’s life when designated service organizations were unable to make progress. Well done Courtney and Linda! Thank you!

And of course, I’d like to also thank all of the attentive HN Readers who took the time to donate to not only Mary’s cause, but to the cause of the homeless in general.

HN will do its best to keep everyone updated regarding Mary and future outreach efforts by Courtney and Linda. If there is another spring/summer fundraiser, I will be sure to let everyone know.

In the meantime, “MUCHAS THANK YOUS… Y QUE DIOS TE BENDIGA!”

P.S. – Today’s Hytown Vignette is a brought to you by The Association… [CLICK IT/CRANK IT!]