Blue Daisy Chain

Octogenarian Clarence Blackmon had spent months in the hospital for cancer treatment and rehab. When he was finally able to return to his Fayetteville, North Carolina home May 12, his cupboard was bare. He had nothing to eat and no way to get to the store. Hungry, weak and desperate, he called 911. Operator Marilyn Hinson took his call. All he needed, he said, was a head of cabbage, a few canned goods, and maybe a little popcorn. With her supervisor’s approval, Marilyn went shopping. She delivered Clarence’s groceries with the help of the Fayetteville police department. She made him a ham sandwich, which he called a feast. Then Marilyn made a few more sandwiches, “For later on.” Clarence will soon have a home health nurse to check on him twice a week. But for now, thanks to his guardian angel, he won’t have to go to bed hungry.