February 14th is a very special day in the Downtown Eastside (dtes). It is the annual Women’s Memorial March, to honor the lives of the missing and murdered women of that community and communities all across Canada. For the 17th year, men and women of all ages and backgrounds gathered in unity to stand, weep, remember, call forth justice and vow to work against systemic violence against women.
It was such an honor and privilege to take part in this day alongside friends from the dtes, North Vancouver, Vancouver and Roberts Creek. In the three days leading up to the march, some of us were at Linwood House for our February Journey. February is always a great Journey; with the theme of love on the calendar and on everyone’s minds, there are endless ways to share and celebrate love and friendship. But this year, inspired by the ever-hopeful Jen Lemen, we decided to do something a little different. And so on our Art Night, armed with paper, glitter, glue, markers and every other embellishment you could imagine, we took on the task of creating “Love Notes to a City”. Instead of making Valentine’s to give out to friends, we wanted to make loads and loads of notes that would carry words of life, love, beauty, hope and inspiration to a whole community. Notes to be passed out to a stranger, or to be left randomly for an unsuspecting person desperately needing to here that exact message.
Everyone jumped in whole heartedly, and we spent hours sitting around the kitchen and dining room tables creating beautiful cards and thinking up just the kind of message that we would want to hear if we were lonely, hurting, cold and lost on the streets of the downtown Eastside.
“You Matter.”
“Call Home.”
“You are Beautiful.”
“God Loves Your Heart.”
“Take the Next Step.”
“You Can Do It.”
“Find Joy.”
“Have Hope.”
These are only some of the beautiful messages that sat in the basket at the end of the evening. On the morning of the 14th, we gathered together at the Great Room, prayed that God would get the right card to the right person and then headed out, love notes in hand, ready to inject the community with all things life-giving and true.
What an amazing time we had. To see the looks on people’s faces as we wished them a happy day and passed out a Valentine, some received with smiles, some with curiosity, some with tears was a gift to all of us. As we gathered back at the Great Room for a Valentine’s Tea everyone shared stories of notes passed on and new friends made.
One young woman who really touched my heart was Ramona. The card in my hand said “You can do it”, and I silently asked God to send me to the person who needed it the most. I saw her standing on the corner of the street, her face hidden behind the hood of her coat. She was a beautiful young girl who looked to be about 20 years old, but as I got close to her I could see that she was crying. I gave her the card and wished her a happy Valentine’s Day. We introduced ourselves, and then I told her I was sorry she was sad and asked if there was anything I could help her with. She answered that the only one who could help her this day was herself. She then told me that what she needed was to get out of the Downtown Eastside. Her aunt had lived down here, she said, and is now one of the missing women. She answered yes when I asked her if she knew where to go to get help. I told her about the Great Room, and encouraged her to come and visit. Then I looked down at the card and said I think there is a reason why you got this card today. “You can do it.” She said she was thinking the same thing, and started to cry again. As we said goodbye, I told her I would pray for her.
Please pray for her too, and for every Ramona who today is needing us to believe for her that yes, you can do it.
And if you feel so inspired, join the movement and spread some love to your corner of the world.
~ Sue Todd
