‘I Always Came Back’: A Story of Survival

Linda Burston was once homeless and addicted to drugs. Today, she helps women at a day shelter in Back Bay, Boston.

“Hey, baby!” Linda Burston, with an illuminating smile and wide eyes, greets every woman who comes through the doors of Women’s Lunch Place.

They always know when Linda is in the room; even among the clink clank of dishes being piled high, the scraping of metal fork against ceramic plate, the hum of conversation among dozens of women, and the Motown softly playing over the loudspeakers, her voice stands out.

Many of the women who find themselves at the Women’s Lunch Place, a day shelter in Boston for the female-identifying homeless and otherwise endangered population, feel a special connection with Linda, one of many direct care workers at the day shelter. Linda was once homeless, addicted to drugs, and a regular patron.

Today, Linda is dancing to “My Girl” by the Temptations and encouraging some of the women around her to join. She laughs as she throws her arms in the air and moves her hips in a circular motion.

A woman sitting at one of the nearby dining tables places her coffee mug on the round wooden table.

“How are you today Linda?” she asks, her lips turned up in a slight smile. “I am blessed and highly favored,” Linda says while shaking her head and grinning, “blessed and highly favored.”

Read the story here: http://sparechangenews.net/2019/03/a-reason-to-live/?fbclid=IwAR3-IoFrLaM789YJzVv58ht2hH3-mHrPvZ8nQaRAxGVlJrpqaS7bZGWO99A