Jan's story

I call myself an “on-call” Salvo.

Having been raised in a Salvation Army Children's Home from nearly five years of age to 10 years of age, I can now say the “on call” part of my life is a return of thanks. I was given so much love and care in this Salvation Army home and was taught so much.

Later in life I found myself a member of The Salvation Army church. Finding myself alone in my late 50s was very difficult. But I found that being single created opportunities for me instead of thinking there were obstacles. I was asked to “christen” a little baby when the parents found out the baby was not going to be born alive. So I stayed in the delivery room with the parents for a long time until this very sad event took place and then helped them arrange the funeral. I just needed to be there for them.

I was able to stay with a family whose little girl was hit by a car and passed away. I did not speak, just let them cry and so I cried with them. Sometimes 4am in the mornings in the quiet of the night is when grief strikes hardest and they would want to talk. There is no timing in these times, hence my ability to be “on call” and go when needed was vital.

Another memory was spending the day of domesticity in a woman’s home. We caught up on a mountain of ironing she never thought she would get through. We laughed and shared stories … someone just needed to be there.