In this issue of the Homeless Voice newspaper you will read a story titled, “Long Live the Queen.” On October 22, 2012 the queen died. However the queen is still living. Our beloved Carol Massed is now living in heaven with our and her best friend Johnny McCormick. She knew there was life after death and many people reminded her that she needed to ask for forgiveness. In fact when I would see her in hospice I would say to her Carol are you talking to Jesus and asking for forgiveness for your sins.
More than once she said “what for, I did not do anything wrong?” Then would smile and say, “yes Sean.” That day as she was being transported by private ambulance from the hospice center to our hospice suite she finally gave out.
This was a woman who had many things wrong with her however you would not know it by her strength, her ability to function, and her ability to drive me crazy. She would call herself an old goat but one that would kick your butt. And she did kick my butt at times by hitting me with her cane. Then a few weeks later if I was in need of back up in dealing with a violent client she was there and would jump in front of me and offer to hit the person with her cane. Carol would get in her mood because of mental illness. She would tell me and others off, hit us at times, get so mad and scream at me and at times she would also do just the opposite of what I told her she needed to do. She was hard to get along with and at the same time be your best friend, not just to me but to many others who knew her and loved her.
In all the years I have done this I have only seen friends and family come to a funeral that was done here at the shelter, maybe three times. We have had about 50 funerals that I can count on my fat little fingers. But on October 23, 2012 that unfortunate past was changed to a much better situation. About 70 people showed up for Carol’s service. Not only from our population but former clients who made it and living on their own outside of our shelter system. That was such a beautiful thing to see former clients coming to honor the life of our Queen Bee Carol.
What shocked me even more than this was that Carol had three case/social workers that worked for Broward County also come to give their respect. Wow, that meant the world to me. To see these three come to her service meant two things. That our Carol was loved and that the social workers who serviced Carol did so not because it was their job, they honestly cared for Carol.
The best moments of the last few weeks with Carol and I was that I surprised her by sending for her daughter who lived in California. When I called her and told her that her mom was getting ready to be put in hospice and death was near and she should be here I offered to pay her way because I knew Carol would want to see her. Her Tonya came within the next 24 hours. The next moment I will not forget is that when I would go to visit her in Hospice waiting for the all clear to bring her home back to the shelter I would get right in her weak little face and say to her, “Carol you were never homeless, you lived with me and I love you so much, she would see the tears in my eyes and say back to me, I love you too Sean. The last final moment of the service I called for a vote to change the name of one of our properties from COSAC CITY to the new Carol Massed Campus…. “All in favor say Yes!” So on October 23, 2012 Carols name will now be part of history and her name will be known to others for being such a beautiful person who we all loved.
Carol, as you meet Jesus tell him we need His prayers but He knows that anyway. So maybe you can hang out with Johnny and watch us from above and say some prayers yourself so we can function.  Carol not just I loved you, there were so many. I hope you know that even when I got mad at you, it meant I loved you and I wanted you to do good.
CAROL WE ALL LOVED YOU SWEETIE AND FOR EVER IN MY MIND YOU WILL BE THE QUEEN OF COSAC, QUEEN B, AND THE DANCING QUEEN. ONE LAST THING, BE THE QUEEN OF HEAVEN AND HELP OTHERS FROM ABOVE WHEN THEY NEED IT.