TRURO, NS — You could call it ‘meeting someone in an unusual circumstance.’ But surprisingly, it led to telling someone’s story. After meeting Darrell Hunt by chance, I learned of this man’s exceptional qualities and his great enthusiasm for helping the poor and homeless.
“I’m out on the streets every day,” said Hunt, 59. “I hear people screaming, is it their medication or some other problem that a lot of people are dealing with. There is a high volume of mentally ill and broken people, I see a lot of people with backpacks, carrying everything they have in these backpacks.”
Hunt shared that he would like to see a real community effort in Truro and other cities in Nova Scotia to help people in need. She said that about 35 years ago she was living as a homeless person in downtown Toronto on Dundas and Bloor streets.
“That’s part of how I can relate to the poor and the homeless, I’ve been through a lot of what these people are going through. I would like to give hope to some of these people that I meet, I want to be a voice for the poor.
“I would like to help in some way so that their basic housing needs are met, I am talking about affordable housing. I would love to see Truro take pride and step up for the poor. For me, it all boils down to a call to love your neighbor and wait for the poor. That’s what I’d like people to think.”
Darrell Hunt was born in Halifax but lived on Long Pond, part of Conception Bay South in Newfoundland, from the age of one to 19.
“One of my best memories as a kid was going fishing with my dad,” Hunt recalled. “We fished for rainbow and brown trout in the lakes, we caught some fancy trout.”
A 1981 Manuals graduate of Holy Spirit High School, Hunt worked for a time as a cook at the Swiss Chalet restaurant on Kenmount Road in St. John’s. Another job saw him work as a carpenter’s helper.
“I spent several years disabled due to mental illness, bipolar disorder,” Hunt advised. “The last seven years have been good in this regard. I have been without medication for the last seven years.”
As the conversation moved into the future, Hunt talked about a personal goal.
“I want to think of others before myself, that’s what I want to do. The Lord has put this on my heart, as I said: my desire is to be able to be an advocate, a spokesperson for the poor and the homeless.”
It was about two weeks ago in Truro that I first met Hunt. Along with others, I stopped to listen as Hunt sang and played his Larrivee guitar and harmonica in front of a store. Several people were heard making positive comments about Hunt’s talent. His voice, music and uplifting songs from him were attracting attention.
“This past time, I think I’ve done a 360-degree turn in my life,” Hunt told me later. “I’ve been a busker for a while, I didn’t have a job, so I started using my God-given musical talent to help me get ahead. It has gone quite well for me, I meet people on the street from everywhere. I think my music is being quite well received.”
Hunt has been playing guitar for over 20 years; He recently he started playing the harmonica. Another talent that he has is as a composer.
“I write folk music, my songs have a Newfoundland flavor. I wrote one of my favorites about 14 years ago, it’s called Walking Down the Road Kicking Stones. It’s a personal song about having a heavy heart, it was written from a real perspective of my life. Hopefully, it’s the song that will take me to Nashville.”
As Hunt and I talked more, we talked about having lunch together. It was at this point that he surprised me by telling me that he lived in a tent in an undisclosed wooded area of Colchester County.
“I never feel alone in the woods,” Hunt said. “I enjoy nature and I love animals. I have a pet squirrel, Peppy, he is a companion and friend. Peppy enjoys when I give her peanuts.
During a series of conversations with Darrell Hunt since we met, he recited scripture several times. Knowledgeable about the Bible, Hunt is steadfast in his commitment to God, prayer, and Christian belief.
Another thing Darrell shared with me is that he lives in hopes of finding a room in the Truro area to live in, a room he can afford.
All the best for finding a room Darrell, keep the faith… _________________________________________________________
Bears Repeating is a weekly column that touches on stories from the past, life experiences, and events of the present. If you have an idea for a column, please contact Lyle at 902 673-2857.
