Ties That Bind: Life, Love and a Sacred Connection
“Our eyes met, and it was mystical.” So began a lifelong connection for Mr. and Mrs. Woodley, whose families had both settled in the suburbs of Chicago during the Great Migration, one of the largest movements in United States history when nearly six million Black individuals moved from the American South to the Northern, Midwestern, and Western states like Illinois to escape racial violence, seek economic and educational opportunities, and gain freedom from the oppression of Jim Crow laws. Mr. Woodley’s beloved grandmother, Helen Fox, played a significant role in the Pullman Porter crusade, widely considered a precursor to the modern civil rights movement. The achievements of the Pullman Porters during the Great Migration became integral to the development of a new Black middle class in Chicago and later Detroit. This rich family history profoundly shaped Mr. Woodley’s life, and he continues to hold deep pride and love for his grandmother Helen.
DEEP DISH AND DEEP TALKS
The Woodley’s story began when she was a high school student and he, a college freshman. They first met at a school club gathering in Crystal Lake. The moment she approached him and said, “I’ve heard so much about you,” there was an instant connection. Mr. Woodley describes it as “simpatico,” and “holy, as in sacred.”
From the very start, they bonded over a shared love for the works of transformational philosophers and authors Joseph Murphy and H. Emilie Cady, as well as a mutual appreciation for deep dish pizza, funk, and disco. They love movies and can quote scenes from the Star Trek films, word for word. “We are nerds,” says Mrs. Woodley, which brings a big approving smile to Mr. Woodley’s face!
Although life circumstances led to a period of separation during which they built lives apart, the extraordinary bond between Mr. and Mrs. Woodley never waned. In the early 2010s, fate and a phone call reunited them, and they settled together once again—this time in the City of Angels. Like every enduring tale of love and life, they navigated the ups and downs that come with a lifelong relationship. They never lost the “holy connection, the sacred” that defines their devotion to each other and those in their circle, including two sons—successful barbers—grandchildren, extended family, and friends.
For many, a medical crisis becomes a pivotal moment, and it was one such event that led the Woodleys to reach out to St. Vincent Meals on Wheels several years ago. They now eagerly await the regular visits from Ronnie, a dedicated SVMOW meal runner. Even their cat, Theo, anticipates Ronnie’s arrival at the door of their second-floor apartment, the one decorated with an angel.
The Woodleys are deeply grateful for the care they have received from so many at St. Vincent Meals on Wheels. Individuals like Vanessa and Fiona, through the Home Sweet Home program, have helped them acquire a much-needed new refrigerator, a walker with a seat, and a tablet that keeps them connected to their loved ones. Mr. Woodley has saved every card delivered to him on his birthday, cherishing each gesture of kindness.
The message the Woodleys wish to convey to everyone who supports the St. Vincent Meals on Wheels mission to deliver food and love is, “Thank you for always being gentle.” They remind us that we never lose when we give and to “leave circles, not lines.” We celebrate the circle of life and love that the Woodleys exemplify, and we are profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve them and so many others who are vulnerable and homebound.
