Today 4th June I affectionately pay tribute to my Brother Laurence ‘s revolutionary help to his Brother Andrew! In little parts and pieces throughout the day I will acknowledge, with deep gratitude, the many achievements and help Laurence has been for over a year now. Let’s go!
Laurence started out in Family style by meeting his brother at the airport with his brother Glenn in toe! Immediately we were conveyed by a beautiful blue Ram truck to the best pizza known to Brand’s, Boston Pizza! Did Laurence pick up the tab. Being a pure gentleman he probably did!
Almost immediately we were conveyed, Glenn still our great companion, to a phone shop to set up an account based on HIS account! $60 monthly, a task of which was his, automatically, without my saying so, each month that bill gets paid from my funds, through Laurence.
An RbnB was waiting for me near Laurence ‘s home for a remarkable price.
The manager of the facility was a prince! A Canadian Chinese, hard worker of a man.
I rarely remember names, so I stand to be helped. Laurence shut up and take it! This is your day!
Next, Laurence takes me downtown to meet the great Demetrius Schwab at the Salvation Army homeless center. There we were introduced to a great resource in Mr. Schwab!
This resource didn’t amount to very much, although Demetrius followed our journey and supported by email, often initiating reconnection.
Laurence was there with me and for me when I applied to get into the Salvation Army ‘s downtown facility for, (what was it called? Oh, housing anyway.) I was subsequently rejected to get into their housing on the basis of Mr being deemed “inappropriate ” for their facility. (I failed at the point of a personal interview)
Laurence was there for moral support, He was genuinely disappointed in their inhumane policies. So important, everyone, to be there, taking his time, sympathizing with me when I was met with rejection. Next, we went, by his beautiful blue Ram truck to the facility down the road.
(What was it called? Oh, help me out…oh, let me think. Another housing facility for the homeless.)
You see, and this I must stress, Andrew William Brand, the but part movie actor from Seoul, South Korea, was now homeless. NEVER, did Brother Laurence ever let me feel judged.
At that homeless facility we were put on an endless waiting list. * bit part actor, “Okay, everybody, do not use the washroom, we’re going to show you my Brother Andrew ‘s scene. And do not look at your popcorn either. Okay, Greg, turn it on.”As a side note, Cheryl and Laurence procured a wheeled carrying basket for my groceries. ( which, incidentally me feel 62, which I was, by the way. )
I dragged full loads of groceries home to the R B n B from Saveon Foods, by bus, along the roadway.
[ Once I lost my way, being sometimes terrible with directions.] on route to my lovely home. Laurence was there on the phone, helping me with Whatsapp video, to find my way to the hotel! Laurence introduced me to a workmates, Rick, who also drives a school bus; a man he has known, for decades? Rick connected me to AA meetings. Coming by, WITHOUT FAIL, to transport me to a daily AA meeting. We are not even a month in, and Laurence ‘s contributions just go on. We shall continue, be patient, this is a DAY for Brother Laurence. STAGE II. Laurence assumes helping roles in Brother Andrew’s domestic/economic life. ie; my banker. Laurence began to have or almost assume the role of ‘power of attorney ‘ for Andrew. Laurence learned my passwords and was very capable of moving money around. Especially the everyday tasks of moving money from my BMO savings account to my Chequing account.
Laurence makes certain that my reasonably priced phone bill is paid. ($60) I love my Samsung android, never mind you Apple users. Laurence always tops up my chequing account, (which I use for interact payments with my card. )
Laurence frighteningly is able to see into all purchases that I make. He loves to tease me by saying. “So, Shoppers Drug Mart, what cost you $80.00, Buddy?”
When I was in my legal Marijuana experimental phase, (which concerned him) ,,Laurence would comment, “Well, the cannibas shop eh, Andrew. How’s that working our for ya, Buddy?” Frightening! Now, with regards to my bank account, (and this falls into the category of a cautionary, constructive criticism for my Brother. ) Laurence knows how much dough, moola, cash I have in my savings account. Laurence has the tendency to come to me with family loan requests. ( things he has passed on or requests he is participating in) which I am completely free to decide on or not. No judgment! Often times Laurence will say , when I decline, “Cheryl said the same thing, I’m proud of you, Buddy!”III. An aside:
Now, being SUDDENLY homeless is, to say the least, uncomfortable. Distressing. In fact, if I was to bring research to this gratitude day for Laurence, it might bore you all. Suffice it to say that being homeless is traumatic. In fact, I am able to say with certainty that I was traumatized by my sudden homelessness.
To go from Seoul, South Korea where I always had an apartment, a loft apartment the last time. Always having somewhere to call home. Asking, or never having to ask anyone for anything; never EVER asking family or friends for loans for anything. To go from that position to homeless, relying upon the SYSTEM for food, shelter and support. This is traumatic.
Laurence had a knowledge, an idea, a grain of compassion to understand how difficult that might be for Brother Andrew. Never did I feel anything but support from Brother Laurence. Part IV.
The “NO UNCERTAIN TERMS, TALKING TOs” Lectures, Laurence playing a Father figure, lecturing Brother Andrew on the fine art of staying out of the gutter. (And Laurence used those very words. “You wanna play around with your medication, stop taking it, playing around with it, you’re gonna be in the gutter. In fact, do you see that gutter down there, right outside your AIR BnB, that’s the gutter you’ll find yourself in, Andrew!!”
Did I appreciate the Lectures? Ask yourself the question; in the heat of the moment, would YOU appreciate these Lectures? Was it true? I was not about to find out. Talk about the F___king fear of God!!
For thus I am grateful to my brother Laurence! I will be your father figure
(Oh baby)
Put your tiny hand in mine
(I’d love to)
I will be your preacher teacher
(Be your daddy)
Anything you have in mind
(It would make me)
I will be your father figure
(Very happy)
I have had enough of crime
(Please let me)
I will be the one who loves you
‘Til the end of time Part V.
Dinners out, trips to the Island to an AIR BNB to visit the nephews, fully welcome and invited. No pressure at all. “Do you WANT to come to the bowling alley, Buddy? Or…”
“I’ll just stay here.”
” No trouble.”
Food at the food court on the way over to the Island before boarding the ferry.
Boston Pizza occasions with great company.
Sensitivity with regard to anything and everything. Visiting the home of my nieces, with a measure of social anxiety, whispering in my brother’s ear. “Ah, can we cut this short?”
Laurence laughs. “Okay, Buddy.”VI. On the move!
I am grateful to my Brother Laurence for transporting me from place to place. For instance, “HOPE FOR FREEDOM SOCIETY ” in Maple Ridge. Sitting with Brother Andrew for the intake by the staff at “HOPE FOR FREEDOM SOCIETY “
Laurence educates everyone for miles around on Andrew’s tendency to get off his medication and get high. “FOR Andrew, just not taking his meds will get him high, folks.”
VIII. “Those Little Things That You Do and Have Done”
Brother Laurence bought me a beautiful watch! A watch which I gratefully wore on my left wrist, able to tell time with just a glance. This was because Laurence envisioned me not having my smartphone at certain recovery centers. A beautiful watch, which someone lifted, yes stole from me in the comings and goings from place to place.
Running Down Vimy 