September 2011

LARRY: A HOME AT LAST

These days, life is a lot different for Larry Reese.

He started 2011 at Tulsa’s Day Center for the Homeless, where he had laid his head at night for the better portion of the past four years.

Before that, he had been on the street for a year following the passing of his wife and then her twin sister. For Larry, he just couldn’t cope with the losses.

This February, life took a big turn for the better. That’s when case workers were able to land Larry a place of his own – an apartment in east Tulsa.

His portion of the rent requires a third of his Social Security income. He keeps the place spotless and loves having a couch, coffee cup and stove again.

We had the privilege of visiting with him twice this summer. We delivered groceries once when he needed some meat and dairy, but for the most part, Larry’s pretty well set.

In fact, he proudly took us on a tour of his kitchen in early September where he was sautéing franks and sauerkraut. He opened up his cupboard, too, which was full of pasta, soup, pinto beans, tuna, mac-n-cheese and tomato juice.

He’s been able to find friends in the apartment complex, eat pizza with a neighbor and watch robins hatch in a tree outside his front door.

We’ll have to tell you more the bigger picture of Larry’s life another time – why he was given up for adoption, how abuse shaped his early years and eventually turned into anger, and how he finally got to meet his birth mom.

In the meantime, it’s good to know that Larry is enjoying the comforts of home, and we’re so happy for him. The change is a welcome site even for our eyes since we had only known him at his depths.

On Nov. 4, he’ll celebrate birthday No. 63. We’re thinking that a cake has to be in order for this very special friend of ours.