Community

Our Community Champions: Linda and Tom Lyman

Linda and son Nathan

“If I can bring hope to someone else, that’s all I want.” Linda Lyman’s heartache has guided her through a journey that is now profoundly touching the hearts of hundreds who often do not even have the basic necessities of life.

No one knew where Linda and Tom’s son Nathan was for almost four years. No one had seen or heard from him. They didn’t even know if he was alive until the shocking call came in. “Your son’s body has been pulled out of the Detroit River.”

Nathan had been revived by two fast-acting bystanders and transported to hospital, then on life support and in ICU. Because of COVID-19, his parents were not allowed to be with Nathan in his final hours and minutes. It was heart-wrenching in countless ways. Not only could the Lyman family not visit with their son in the hospital, they also could not gather as a family to celebrate his life.

Nathan’s death drove Tom and Linda to discover that their son had been living by the river and receiving support from the Downtown Mission of Windsor and Street Help Homeless Centre of Windsor. They came to understand an entirely new world. Those who are homeless or living in poverty go to the mission to receive the basic necessities of life, emotional support and spiritual guidance.

The Windsor Youth Centre as well as Sanctuary, Wellness and Enterprise Programs are also available to those in need.

In the Downtown Mission’s Fall newsletter, Executive Director Reverend Ron Dunn shared, “Today’s needs of those we serve far outnumber and are much more complex and ever-changing than what was our norm when I first started here at the Mission. We continue to have to evolve and improve service delivery in attempts to meet the changing and increasing needs of those who come to us every day.”

The pandemic is intensifying the opioid crisis. In 2019, the Mission staff reversed 37 overdoses and as of mid-September, they had revived 59 people.

With suicide being the leading cause of death among people under 25, Reverend Dunn is pleased that the Downtown Mission is playing a leading role in addressing this crisis.

“The statistics are staggering. A recent study by the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit and Canadian Mental Health Association, has discovered a 143 percent increase in suicide attempts by youth aged 10-19. That’s just in our community! One young person attempting to take their own life is tragic, an increase of 143% is simply unacceptable. If one teen finds the help and resources they need from this program, it’s worth it!”

The Distress Centre is open 365 days per year. You can call the Centre at (519) 256-5000.

Since Nathan passed away in March, Linda and Tom have driven their 15-passenger van to Windsor 13 times, filled with donations. For those who have nothing and have to carry belongings on their backs, donations such as coats, shoes, socks, underwear, bras, backpacks, purses full of items or blankets are welcome.

Food that does not have to be heated up such as cereal bars, tins of fruit, canned proteins or drinking boxes is appreciated. Gift cards in small denominations help the homeless get in from the cold to enjoy a much-needed coffee and bagel. Monetary donations, monthly or otherwise, are also welcome.

As Linda says, “Anything from your heart.”

Linda and Tom’s team is now fondly referred to as “The Lyman Group” and many people remain anonymous as they leave their bag of donations on the doorstep of 1039 Birch Avenue.

Linda shared the heartwarming story of a person from town who sent her a message and dropped off two bags of donations. This person told Linda that on her daughter’s ninth birthday, the little girl chose to purchase items for the shelter, rather than receive her own gift.

Linda’s cousin Carol Shaw and the Ridgetown Quilting Group have donated 24 quilts, all labelled “Handmade for you with Love.” It is their hope that people receiving the quilts will feel the love and hope and get through another day. Debby Jarvis Chausse networks with people in Kingsville and also helps with this cause.

Linda Lyman with quilt donations

What Linda and her family have been through in 2020 is catastrophic. Not only did they lose their son, Linda also lost her sister, Marny Hodgkins. Many of us knew Marny, a beautiful person, who suffered a devastating acquired brain injury in 2007.  Despite 13 years of resilience, she tragically passed away in August of this year. Family, friends and our community expressed their sympathy in the form of donations in her name.

When people donate, Linda feels that some also drop off part of their hearts and she honours them. So many people are currently hurting, with mental or physical illness, addiction and job loss.

“If we could listen to each other without judgment and be truthful with one another, we can begin to heal, to love and hope,” she shared tearfully. “We have the present moment. We can’t go back. We can’t go forward. Let’s everybody, every day be kind. It’s doable.”

Linda and Tom are passionate about wanting to raise awareness about this crisis with people dying on the streets every single day in our own county. They will continue to drive loads of donations to the Windsor shelter, each and every time their van is full.

Linda makes an appeal to us, especially at this time of year. “If anyone is estranged from family members, in Nathan’s name, I would really love it if you could just reach out and drop the hurt and let go of whatever happened to reconnect. That would be super awesome.”

Linda and Tom will soon celebrate the birth of their second grandchild. Their daughter Maylin has and will always be one of the bright lights that has helped them through years of heartache.

Countless emotions overcame me as I walked to my car after meeting with Linda. The tragedy of losing her son, her quest to find meaning in all that Nathan endured, and the difference she and her husband are now making … there is something in their journey that connects to each one of us.  If not in our past, perhaps now and into the future.

Linda said, “It helps our sore hearts feel better. Many hands make light work, as my mom used to say.”

This Wednesday, they are taking another load of donations to the Mission. How many of our hands will come together in the spirit of giving to support the health, well-being and safety of those most in need?

To learn more:

Street Help

Downtown Mission of Windsor

Windsor Youth Centre

Downtown Mission’s Fall newsletter

Monetary donations for Downtown Missions

Downtown Mission Distress Centre

Interview with Linda and Tom Lyman

Photos provided by Linda Lyman

 

12 Comments

  1. Sue boulton

    Linda and Tom Lyman two of the kindest people I know they always help. Others,even during their own times of grief. They truly are the type of people we should all aspire to be. Thank you for the love and encouragement shown to my little family during some very challenging times. God bless you both.

  2. Deborah hodge

    Linda Lyman mum and mum are sisters!!! While they sit at the right hand of Jesus, I have been blessed to know ,love cherish and laugh with Tom and Linda my entire lives. If YOU are blessed to know them, see them , call them or laugh with them tell them CCD loves them 2468! Thanks for writing this amazing article about amazing folks!

  3. Thank you for writing this Lynn. We have heroes in our community, and I am glad you brought shed light on these caring and incredible people.

  4. God bless you Linda and Tom, for bringing the most Inspirational heart felt story to light.Where there is hope and light and love,hopefully this can turn around.I prefer living in a world of love,hope and understanding to other people that have been hit with such such devastation.A little hope and help and love and heart goes a long ways.Thank you for the share of your story

  5. Thanks for writing this Lynn!

  6. Holding a loving space for your beautiful hearts. God bless you and your family for your ability to turn your pain into a wonderful gift for others.

  7. Karen Ceman-Murteira

    Thank you, Linda and Tom for sharing your story and inspiring us to be more understanding, compassionate, and giving.

  8. Sandra Horne

    What a beautiful way of honoring there son and helping so many people. You truly are angels. Thank you for what you continue to do

  9. Linda Seaton

    What a heartwarming story. Linda and Tom lose their son and take a very negative, horrible experience and make something beautiful. This is what our world needs to hear right now. Thank you so much for sharing their story and God Bless Linda & Tom!!!

  10. Shannon Clarke

    This is beautiful what the Lymans are doing and they have a very powerful message. To turn a situation that could be enraging and tragic into a story of love and helping takes a special kind of person. I really admire both their message and their actions. The Downtown Mission of Windsor provides so many needed services and I know these donations will be put to good use in helping wonderful people in our community.

  11. Thank you for writing this story Lynn. The Lymans are setting an example of the world I prefer to live in. I appreciate they are getting publicity for their good works.

  12. Ccharharlene Swaddling

    Wow Lynn this article touched my heart. Beautifully written. So powerful!

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