Our “Den Mother” of sorts, Miss Bobbie, is probably the most revered of all the workers in our program. On first meeting her most clients understand quickly that while she is here to help you she will not put up with your shenanigans and will be the first person to put you back in line should you step out. What they don’t always see right away, is that Miss Bobbie’s particular brand of mothering comes in the form of tough love and quiet compassion. While she may get after you, she will also champion for you when the rest of us are at our wits end.
The women see her as a daily staple in their routine. Every night at 4 o’clock without fail Miss Bobbie will walk through the doors and plant herself in a chair in the lounge and listen intently to their conversation. She appears as a buoy in their otherwise stormy seas.
Yesterday she celebrated her … birthday and the ladies decided we had to throw her a surprise party. They planned and pulled of a wonderful celebration of the woman who gives them so much. To give back they sang songs, gave presents, and ate far too much sugar. One client in particular gave a very special gift, which shows the amazing impact Miss Bobbie has on her life, and displays how the women see her.
A Poem for Miss Bobbie
"There once was a light in a tower,
The Light was always bright, no matter the hour.
Come the weather, good or bad,
The light in the tower never ran out of power.
They come from here and they come from there.
Hungry and tired, lost and despaired.
And when they look up the tower is there.
With the light always bright and shining through the night.
With a message of hope and words of advice.
Rest, eat, change your clothes, have a smoke or two;
Remember this is a shelter and not your home."
-Denaice Wright
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