Most of us don’t recall the first time we slept in our own bed. For many, this experience seems natural, and it’s easy to forget what life would be like without it. But some people aren’t as fortunate, like a little boy in Detroit who recently got to sleep in his own bed for the first time. His reaction and journey to this moment remind us all to be a bit more grateful.
Eight-year-old Dare Nelly had been homeless for years. When he was 2 years old, his mother lost her job and then their home. After many years of homelessness, the family moved into a shelter in Detroit. It was expected that they would eventually receive social housing assistance from the city, but it was a lengthy process.
Moving to the shelter wasn’t an easy transition for Dare. “He started struggling a bit in school when we moved into the shelter. But I explained to him that we had to do it to get our own home,” said the child’s mother.
After living in a small shelter, the family was finally able to move into their own home. However, as wonderful as it was to finally have a roof over their heads, the family didn’t have everything they needed. They had very few pieces of furniture and accessories to furnish their new home. During the initial months, Dare slept on piles of blankets because he didn’t have a bed. The special organization that helps the homeless heard about it and decided to assist them.
Obviously, the primary way to settle the family into their new home was to provide furniture. So they did. Every room in Neely’s new home was fully furnished and decorated for free. Furniture was donated by community members. One of the effects of furnishing their home was that Dare got his own bed for the first time in years. His reaction to the new bed was captured on video.
The video starts with him entering his room, then he notices the bed. In the first few moments, his eyes widen. Then, as he realizes this bed is entirely his, his reaction becomes even more emotional. He seems to struggle to accept this gift. Dare covers his face with his hands and turns for a hug.
“My love, it’s all about you.” In addition to the bed, Dare also received many new toys and games, like flashlights. And now that their housing situation is more stable, Dionna can focus on her studies in nursing. Dare and Dionna’s lives are now on an upward trajectory, and Dare can also focus on the little things in life, like sleeping in his own bed.
