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Another Tenant Has Left Us.


This afternoon I received the sad news another fellow tenant and friend Mr. Howard Moses has passed away.  Howard had the title of longest tenant to reside at KMHC.  Truly if there is one native elder who deserves the utmost honor and respect is Howard.  He & I got along well, when I first moved here a small group of tenants would sit outside where the park bench used to be and socialize about life and all kinds of shite.  Laughter was abundant from Howard to little Debbie.  I would sometimes drop by his unit for a visit, I liked and respected the man he would share stories about his war years and laugh at the silly times in his life.

For the past few years his participation to UNH’s programs and events declined, I didn’t see him around the building much unless at the entrance.  Just before the Christmas holidays 2016 Howard had a terrible fall in his unit and had to be hospitalized.  Later when he recovered enough to come home I saw him with his walker slowly approaching the building.  He was still weak and short of breath and asked me to walk behind him in case he should slip and fall.  I immediately stood behind him for safety until he reached the building entrance.  That was the last time I saw him. :(

I’ve never spoke about this to anyone and it still annoys me when I think about it today.  One time about six months ago as I'm walking up the street I notice Howard was trying to get his right leg in the front seat of the van and Tim the UNH’s driver just sat there while Howard struggled.  I immediately ask Howard would he like some help and he accepted.  I don’t dislike Tim largely because I don’t know the guy but that day I was disappointed at the young man who works out at a gym yet wouldn’t help a Native elder and passenger.

Tenant Sue’s passing basically went unnoticed by Urban Native Home Inc. with the exception of a condolence card which I was not invited to sign.  Instead fellow tenant Debbie purchased her own condolence card and tenants were invited to sign it. Thanks Debbie. :)  At the time of this writing UNH’s will be closed until Tuesday, I sincerely hope this time UNH’s will get their act together by not being cheap and honor Howard to the highest degree. 

Personally I feel sad and a sense of disbelief. :(

RIP Mr. Howard Moses aka Howie.

Tk

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