What are you grateful for this holiday season? It could be the ham on your table, or the family you get to spend it with.
For one senior citizen, his gift came early, and he's more than grateful that he will no longer be spending Christmas in his old, dilapidated wooden house that was close to collapsing.
When we arrived at Bainton Bank, a little hideaway in Ladyville that many residents don't know about, 65-year-old Cleveland Wade met us with a smile, eager to show off his brand new house and to tell his story of going from a hazardous shack to his own little haven.
Courtney Menzies visited him today and has this story.
Up until last week, this was the bathroom that 65-year-old Cleveland Wade had been using. It's located outside of this dilapidated wooden house that he'd been living in for the past 45 years.
The house barely survived Hurricane Lisa, and Wade had always feared it wouldn't last much longer:
Cleveland Wade, Received A New House
"That house actually don't make I sleep in the night for a good night's rest because it's done old and every minute I think it will be crumbling in a minute."
"It was terrible, it's all rotten too. And whatever rotten, wood lice have already taken it away."
And at one point, one of these rotted stairs actually broke under Wade's feet.
But those problems are in the past, because, last week, Wade received the keys to his brand new starter home, courtesy the Ministry of Housing.
Cleveland Wade, Received A New House
"My new house is very good, I love it."
Reporter
"Did you know about the program, did you apply?"
Cleveland Wade, Received A New House
"Yes, my niece, my two niece, my sister in law, and everybody get together and put a lot of effort so I can live in a brand new house. They gave me a week after, yeah, when I applied for it, a week after, they said my [application] is complete."
Courtney Menzies:
"And when did you actually move in here?"
Cleveland Wade, Received A New House
"Oh just last week, last week, when the lady came and gave my the key and we opened the door, it was so beautiful, I got a very good night rest. It's a lot better, I sleep so comfortable without thinking that I will hit the ground."
And now, Wade is able to use the bathroom inside his home, and he can actually take a proper shower.
He even has plans to upgrade his bedroom and kitchen with more appliances.
But for now, Wade is just happy to be able to spend the holidays in his new home.
Cleveland Wade, Received A New House
"As you've seen, I've already got my Christmas tree up, and I'm going to town in a while to get whatever I need to celebrate my Christmas with a little loving for the almighty Lord & Savior."
Wade says his next plan is to buy some kitchen cabinets and a gas tank.
And he plans to pay off the monthly payments of $100 with the odd jobs he does for the Ladyville community.
