Howard. Oh, Howard! Such an interesting and complex guy.
He loves watching wrestling almost as much as he loves his wife of many years, Mary.
The first thing you need to know about Howard is that he isn’t a grumpy old man, but he likes to play that part. It’s all just a big joke to him. His deep, deep humour informs almost everything he says and does. For example, he’ll tell the volunteers at Urban Hope that I’ve been banned from Urban Hope. As they look on, confused, Howard cracks a smile and laughs. They fell for that old joke again.
But he wasn’t always that way.
When I first got to know Howard, he could be pretty grumpy. Then he got COVID, really badly. He was hospitalized and in a coma for about six months. After he recovered, we talked about it, and I felt he was holding something back, something important. The conversation went something like this:
Me: So what happened?
Howard: I had pneumonia and then got COVID. They said I was going to die, so they put me into a coma.
Me: So did you die?
Howard: Well, I’m here now.
Me: Seriously, I know about this stuff. Tell me what happened.
Howard: (Uncomfortable at first, but then visibly relieved to be able to tell his story.) Well, it was all black, then it got bright, and I was with my dad (Howard’s father had been dead for years) and some of my aunts and uncles. It was really nice, and I wanted to stay with them, but then they told me I had to go back for Mary, so I came back.
From that time forward, Howard has been calmer, more at peace, and more loving. His humour, which could be caustic, became mild and inviting.
Howard has become very good at hugging, listening, and smiling.
Original artwork, 5 × 7″ greeting cards and archival prints are available. Contact me for details.
50% of net profits are donated to Urban Hope.