To the editor:

My name is Terry and I am a “LINK enabler.” I served my first meal in 2003. I have to admit that that first serving made me feel good. I continued to serve and achieve that high. I even experimented on various occasions with making some casseroles to share. Before I knew it, I was making desserts. My ultimate euphoria came when I both made and served potato salad for the Fourth of July.

I’ve tried to quit. But inevitably some grateful soul finishes their meal and gives me a sincere, heartfelt “Thank you” and my dependency kicks in. I need to have more.

My other co-enablers and I find some solace in our holding hands and praying before we indulge our weaknesses and the food line forms. We ask for better ways to resolve the situations that bring them to our doors. We ask that they may find a way out and find dignity and self-worth so that they can contribute in a positive way to our society. And then we do what we can to ease their pain … we smile and feed them.

We realize there are those who may abuse privileges they are given, but should they prevent others from having a decent meal? (And, furthermore, from keeping the LINK volunteers from having their “helping fix”?)

Me, I will continue to remind myself of the “Serenity Prayer” with every scoop of food I serve and hope, too, that a more humane solution will be reached other than closing the “enabling facilities” and simply ignoring our homeless population. I will also attend meetings to elicit the support and understanding of my fellow LINK enablers as we lift that ladle that makes us feel so good.

Terry Edmondson,

Lawrence