When Jean Coker went into the hospital to deliver her baby, someone gained entry to her home through a basement window that had been left open. The person went through the house, tidied up and swept the floors, not in an attempt to destroy evidence but as a present to the new mother and her family. When they returned from the hospital, the place was clean, the sheets were washed and the beds were made. If that sounds like a scene out of a fairy tale, Jean Coker would agree. "It's incredible," she said.
Jean and her family have lived on Bowen for seven years. She thought she knew the community well but in the last few weeks, it held a string of surprises. It started with the birth of her daughter, Lochlan, on September 13 and hasn't let up since. Last week, Jean recounted that five minutes before our conversation, someone rang her doorbell and dropped off three frozen meals.
"I recently went for a check-up with my family doctor and he asked how I was doing," Jean says. "I said that I was fine. When he asked how I was coping with dinner time, I told him that I haven't cooked a meal in 17 days." Jean laughs as she describes the doctor's reaction who looked at her without comprehension. "I had to explain that my friends have organized a food train and I've had food brought to my house every night except one," she said, adding that, on that night, the family ordered pizza.
"The kids often take beautiful homemade meals to school for lunch," Jean says. "Before the baby was born, the time from 4 to 7 p.m. would be quite hectic. It's the time when everyone wants my attention and I also have to make dinner. With all the help I've had, I'm able to play outside with my kids."
In addition to Lochlan, Jean and Jim Coker have three children: Makena (6), Sawyer (3) and Saxon who is 16 months old. After Saxon's birth, Jean and Jim thought they were done with having babies. "We got rid of all the baby stuff except the stroller," Jean said, adding that their friends have rallied and replaced all the items they needed for the new baby. "One of my friends gave me a double stroller," Jean said. "I have everything I need, including a brand new car seat."
The help the couple received didn't stop there. Jean remembers that two days before the baby was born, her dryer broke. "We went into the hospital and while we were gone, a friend went to our house, stripped the beds, washed the sheets and then brought them back. When I thanked her, she said it was nothing," Jean said. "It might be nothing for her to clean my house or for the other friends to make an extra pot of stew, but for us, this is huge."
The same friend has been coming over twice a week to pick up the laundry and returns it washed and folded.
Jean said that the parents from the Bowen Island Montessori School have made a roster to deliver meals Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until October 19 but, with all the other help, every day has been covered. "And the meals they bring are so nice," Jean says. "There is often a salad, a main course, bread and a sparkling beverage. For dessert, we've had crumbles and cookies."
In addition to dinners, Jean has received fresh-baked croissants and cinnamon buns at 7:30 a.m. from the neighbour across the streets. Her kids have been invited to go on play-dates and have received rides to and from school. The family has also gotten gift certificates and balloons.
"People have been remarking that I look pretty relaxed," Jean says. "That's because I've had so much help and support. As a result of that, I've been able to spend more time with each of my children and that has been great for their adjustment."
Jean says that while she is writing thank-you notes, her mother has been telling everyone that if they want to have a baby, the best bet would be to move to Bowen Island.
