When I first encountered Diana Schwenk she was working at another homeless shelter in Calgary — my counterpart in certain areas of communication. While it’s not spoken of nor is it very ‘pretty’, there is a certain competition between agencies — we are seeking funding from the same sources, media attention and public awareness all in the same time and space. Diana didn’t care about ‘competition’. She only cared about the people we served and how we could make their road less rocky. She defied politics, ignored inter-agency hostilities and constantly strove to open doors for everyone — co-workers, homeless Calgarians and other agency staff and clients.

I was one of the ones she helped. Through her generosity of spirit, her willingness to share information, to talk about issues and ideas she reminded me that there is no ‘us and them’ — only the singular purpose of making the road easier for everyone — and we make a bigger difference when we work together. She was and is the epitome of graciousness and caring. She is one brave and courageous woman making a difference however she can. And today, she shares a beautiful, heart warming story about Wild Bill.  Enjoy!

Thank you Diana for being the difference we need in our world today.  You can visit her and find out more about Diana at her blog, Talk to Diana (you’ll be glad you did!)

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When Our Difference Counts

by Diana Schwenk

Here’s the thing about making a difference; often we don’t know we have, but sometimes we are made privy to the fact and oh how that inspires us to continue to do so!

I first met William in the early 90’s while I was volunteering at a local coffee house that served the homeless. William, known as Wild Bill on the streets and for good reason, was one of the most cantankerous individuals you could ever meet. Just to give you an idea of what I mean I once saw him sitting on the steps of First Baptist Church as I was walking down 4th Street. I was still several blocks away when my stomach tightened in knots as I watched a woman riding a bike on the sidewalk approaching him. Because I had met Bill several times before, I knew she was in trouble. My walk became a trot as I silently prayed she would cross the street or turn off in another direction. But she didn’t, she stayed on course, a path that would lead her straight to Bill. I was too late. As she rode by him, Bill pushed her over on her bike sending her crashing to the sidewalk.

To say that my relationship with Bill had a rocky start is a gross understatement. The first time I met him, I was leaning against the doorpost of the coffee house watching him walk up the stairs toward me. As he walked in I barely got out a “Hey, how you doing’?” when he shoulder checked me, almost knocking me on my backside. For some reason, I liked him instantly! The next three months weren’t much different. Every time I saw him, I’d say hello and my greetings were reciprocated with a blue cloud of cussing and screaming.

Finally, one day, I screamed back. “HEY BILL!” That got his attention. “WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS YELLING AT ME? WHAT THE HECK HAVE I EVER DONE TO YOU??”

I can only guess that my outburst shocked him. Sheepishly, he hung his head. After a few moments (that felt like an eternity) he responded with, “I don’t know….I guess I just want to reject you before you get a chance to reject me.” Time went by and eventually Bill had disappeared from the landscape. Occasionally I would think of him and wonder what happened to him. Eventually I imagined the worst and presumed he had died.

Flash forward ten years: I was in my office talking to one of my staff when my cell phone rang. “Diana! There’s a real A-hole at the door who wants to see you now and he won’t take NO for an answer,” said the frantic doorman.

My heart went into my throat. Bill – it had to be! As I approached, Bill was still yelling at the doorman when I called out to him. He stopped dead in his tracks and looked at me; tears streamed down his face as he hugged me and spoke softly into my ear. You see he came to thank me for never giving up on him. He came to tell me that he now managed a restaurant in Lethbridge. He came to tell me that every night when his shift ends he goes out in the streets with sandwiches for the homeless and tells them that if they ever decide they want to get off the streets, he would help them. By this point I was crying as well and told him that I was so very proud of him. And then as quickly as he had arrived, he climbed into his Cadillac and drove off.

Often we don’t know that we’ve made a difference but if my relationship with Wild Bill has taught me anything it’s to never stop trying.

Thank you Diana Schwenk for sharing your amazing story — and your beauty — so generously.

Happy Easter!