Good Samaritans of Garland, Inc. Executive Director Pam Swendig wrote the following article about a past Good Sam client. The kind of love and compassion extended to the client is something that we don’t hear much about these days. It warmed my heart and gave me hope. Thank you, Good Samaritans.
I met Shannon when she visited Good Sam for food assistance. Homeless for several years, Shannon was unkempt and looked older than her 47 years. Over the months following her visit, I grew to know and love Shannon, understanding her mental illness over-shadowed a kind, intelligent woman. The ‘on’ medication Shannon was coherent, bright, and kind. The ‘off’ medication Shannon was threatening, rude, and quite frankly, often scary.
Arriving at Good Sam early one morning, I saw concern and fear on our guest’s faces. Shannon’s behavior was frightening our guests and I had to ask her to leave. As I sat with her across the street, I calmly shared with her why she had to leave.
Shannon saw how hard it was for me to tell her this and thanked me for being kind to her. (For our unhoused friends,
kindness and understanding is in short supply.) As I watched her walk away with her meager belongings, I said a prayer for her safety. I did not know if I would ever see her again.
Several months later, I was surprised and happy to see Shannon sitting quietly on the Good Sam porch reading her Bible. Her beautiful, long red hair had been cut short. Sitting beside her I learned she had been in jail for trespassing, accounting for her stable mood and short hair. While we were talking, she mentioned her mother.
On impulse, I asked Shannon if she’d like to call her mother. She said, “Yes,” and I handed her my cell phone. After a few minutes Shannon ended her conversation with, “I love you, too, mom,” and looking up I saw something different in her eyes.
She wanted to go home. Redialing the recent number, I spoke with Cheryl, Shannon’s mother. Cheryl had not heard from her only child in two years and had no idea of her whereabouts. By day end, Shannon had a ticket for a two-day bus trip home, her belongings were stuffed in a thrift-store suitcase, and she had food in her satchel.
Shannon arrived home safely on Easter weekend. Over the next year Cheryl, Shannon, and I kept in touch, sharing pictures and updates. When Shannon was on her medication, she did well. When she was not, her behavior was challenging for her mother. Cheryl shared with me how difficult and frustrating it was to find adequate mental health care for Shannon.
Early this summer, I received a call from Cheryl. Shannon, home for a little over a year, had died unexpectedly due to breathing complications. Cheryl’s heart was broken at the loss of her only child but took comfort knowing Shannon was with her Lord and no longer suffering from her illness. I had known Shannon for a short time but my heart grieved for her death and her mother’s loss. Shannon’s unexpected and short friendship taught me how to be a better person and I am thankful for her life.
Together we can make a difference.
Written by Pam Swendig, Executive Director of Good Samaritans of Garland, Inc.