Happy Christmas, and a Healthy New Year to you and yours, Bud!
I just saw a news snippet that I wanted to share with you all, as kind of a present :
Rocker reunites with homeless bandmate - CNN.com Video
It seems that Carlos Santana had an original band mate named Malone, Marcus Malone. Marcus got in some trouble and fell off the world. A CNN reporter found him, started checking his story, which Carlos saw. You kind of need to see it for your self. Not only is Marcus recording on the next Santana album, one of the songs he will play on is "Marvelous Marcus Malone!"
I can verify this approach to life. The making whole part. I had a sick man beg from me in a Sam's Club lot. He told me his story, including the fleabag hotel he was staying at with his wife and three children. I told him I hadn't cash to give him but I would pick up some groceries. We had scheduled to meet later, he of course was a no-show. He was nearly frozen when I met him.
Later, my daughter and I who finished up an appointment of her set out to find them. We did! We found the motel, terrible on the outside, actually passable on the inside. His wife opened the door when whe knocked. The adults were a little behind on the food side, and there were three beautiful little blonde haired blue eyed kids huddled behind their mom. We visited for a while. Dad was diabetic, and had degenerative disk, as well as three herniated from an accident, and probably was at one point hooked on medication. He and his wife had other problems, including legal, which precluded them getting some help available. But that didn't matter. It was about the kids!
In the meantime, we have them a day or two from getting sheltered housing, and an advocate. This guy has a dui out of state, and subsequent driving without a license charges, all over ten years old. (From when he was in his early twenties.) We have gotten them help, food, and some toys for his kids, so they have something to open. We checked on them last night, and the last thing his three year old said to me going out the door was, "Merry Christmas, Mister!"
I wish all that love and good will to all of you!
