Meet The Enclave Village Families
Closing in on our 1-1/2 year stay at the Enclave (Formerly Known As Greenbrier) we have witnessed many changes. Most recently, are for the betterment of the community.
There is a saying that goes; ” It takes a village to raise a child”
At the Enclave, run by its new “proactive manager” Todd,” the statement above is actually in full swing daily.
There has been an influx of families moving in, and this is great for the Enclave community. Anita and I want everyone of our readers to know this, if nothing else.
“These people are some of the most caring and thoughtful people anyone can meet on this planet.” We are thankful to meet and dwell with them.
Let me introduce you to Anita and I “Enclave Village Family.” I am not going to give you their names, but I will give you a general description, and a brief on their important role in our village survival program.
1) Anita calls him a barbecue man. Now, “Barbecue man” plays a major role in our outdoor meal cooking endeavors. See, he works at a charcoal production company who allows him from time to time to bring some bags of charcoal home. Those bags are then “GIVEN” (never sold – just given) to everyone on our floor. – For the most part he keeps us within the guidelines of our housing rules by doing so.
You have to meet the barbeque man’s wife, she is one of the kindest people ever. Like most of us, she struggles everyday, and like Anita, she is raising her grandchildren. Each day I see those children, I see nothing but happiness, and smiles, when they are with her. They are well taken care of (at least from my vantage point). I have witnessed the transformation from the 1st day they arrived. Together, they are doing an “OUTSTANDING” job. – Hats off to these grandparents. If anyone knew them in the past, you would know they deserve nothing but good together.
2) Next, we call them the “Young Couple.” Anita checks on them daily to make sure they have everything they need to stay strong for that day. They are doing a wonderful job raising their little one. Our son is lucky to have us, but they have no one.
Like most who live in these types of settings it can be overwhelming.
Now, here is the struggle for the “Young Couple” that even my wife and I have entertained over the last 6 years.
Just yesterday, we took the “Young Couple” to the “pawn” shop so that they could get enough money to pay their rent. Currently, the young lady is in between jobs, and starts at a local business this upcoming week. Anita explained to them, “Don’t feel bad, my husband and I have done this a lot of times, but we have to do what we have to do, in order to survive. At least you did not steal, or rob anyone, to get your rent paid.”
Anita then went on to say, “On Monday I will make a few calls to see If I can get someone to help you get at least 1-2 weeks ahead and this will take some of the burden off.
Now, this is what amazed me about my wife.
The “TV” that the “Young Couple” took to the pawn shop was a newer TV, with “Roku” installed.
The TV in these rooms are older and without Roku. This TV does however have an “HDMI” connection.
As my wife was walking past their room, after they had paid their rent, she noticed two people speaking loudly at each other, so Anita immediately came back to our room and asked me “Where is our “ROKU?”
I asked why?
ANITA RESPONDED: “Because the young couple need to be able to have “YouTube and internet stuff on their TV, we are not using it, so I’m going to let them use it.“ Guess what, that was what they were upset about.
They are what’s making this community strong, because we know, as long as we are here, we have to help them to stay strong.
Now that you’ve met the “FAMILIES”
Let me introduce you to the backbone of this floor, in which my wife Anita, and I reside with our granddaughters.
1) There is this mid-aged lady who has a couple of well-groomed dogs. Speaks and smiles everyday. She brings a glow and fresh air to this floor.
2) Then there is a bi-racial couple like Anita and I. Both full of life and about it. He works daily and provides for his wife. She is good for this community because she keeps the mystery, and fun in pretty much every conversation. I know she, Anita, and Shorty would bring a lot of laughter and fun with their very own “Podcast”
3) Also on this floor is, who Anita calls “Shorty & Tink Tink” they just recently got together, but Shorty has been here as long, if not longer than we have. Both of them work. Anita and Shorty have known each other the longest, so they have a certain flow. But if you want to get a good laugh, and I mean, a good laugh, you have to just hear Shorty and Anita when they are on a roll. It can make your day.
4) Then we have the “COUSIN’S”. Both work, and they have a dog, who is also well taken care of. They, just like the rest of us, struggle. They have come to Anita on several occasions and have asked for help. Just the other day. One of the gentlemen was running late for work and needed a ride. We don’t have a car, so Anita went to “Shorty” who was running a little late, but heading to work, and asked if she would take the gentleman to work. Shorty said okay and did so.
NOW LET ME SHOW YOU HOW THIS ENCLAVE “VILLAGE” COMMUNITY WORKS
We are currently sitting near the end of the month. We are in a phase of the month, where us “POOR” folks’ lives are totally “depending” on one another. On this floor, “EVERYTHING IS REAL” including our lives. Keep in mind, even though we work, it’s just not enough to climb out. However, for us “POOR” folks, It’s seem to be always just enough to keep us on the skimpy vine.
It is at the most serious time of the month, where we have to look after our neighbor. NO ONE GOES TO BED HUNGRY. WE REQUIRE ALL PHASES OF STRENGTH TO PROVIDE FOR THE BUSINESSES WE ARE EMPLOYED AT. We require proper “rest and food” as “POOR” folks to help the community prosper.
Case and point:
Just recently, I needed “Toilet” tissue because I had none. I knock on my neighbors door. She handed it to me, no questions. Someone may need eggs, they got it. Someone may need a package of meat, they got it. Someone, or family may need a meal, we figure out a way to feed each other. Someone on our floor may need a ride to the store, we got that. “One thing we never do is abuse each other” in this helping thing. We only ask if and when we need, and we check on each other “EVERY” DAY. Not just the end of the month.
There has been time when Anita had to figure out whether someone was hurting, hungry, or just needing someone to talk to.
In closing I want to share with you what I think makes our floor so unique and different.
As my wife and I have noticed over time. Most deaths and violence that are caused in these low-hanging pieces of the vine, happens because one person thought another is, or was doing better than them. Thus, we become angry and vindictive toward our neighbor.
So when a “POOR” person like me sees another person, who is actually “POOR” like me, with a new item, we get mad, with crazy thoughts, when we should be proud and happy for them, because their upward movement represents a sign of hope for the rest of us.
Just recently a family, and two ladies, mentioned above all were successful at purchasing their “CARS”. See, where “US POOR FOLKS” are located on the vine, that’s a big step up, even with the high interest rates, year of vehicle, and mileage. But, they finally achieved a goal. To purchase a car.
I watched my wife Anita congratulate each one, when they purchased. Even though Anita doesn’t have a car “SHE IS HAPPY FOR THEM.”
That, my friends, is what makes this floor at the “ENCLAVE” powerful. Anita is proud of everybody’s forward motion, and she shows it to them daily. It is the people who Anita dwells with who puts a smile on her face everyday. So when people say “it takes a village to raise a child”, it’s happening everyday at the Enclave. Families are truly helping families.
So, if you’re ever placed in a situation where you have a choice between streets and a hotel extended stay. Check out the “Enclave” formerly known as Greenbrier. Those interested should keep in mind that you and your family must be willing to make changes that will allow such progress. People who are willing to keep the property up, by keeping their space organized and tidy should check out the Enclave.
Anita Williams, Owner
Householddealz.com
Please Be Safe Everyone!