I missed mass (Church Service) last night, because God has a mission for this once homeless kid. I live a most blessed life, thank-you God. My live could very well have gone another way... a little humanity goes a long-long way. It is indeed, in the giving that we receive.
I was once a homeless child, (age 11 and 12). For decades I did not tell anyone about that part of my life. It was my shame. Although, I never forgot Mr. Bass the teacher who fed me lunch for a year, or the librarian who filled my life with books, cookies and hot chocolate; Sunday Mass Social donuts, or my friends Mom, Mrs. Talerico, whose table was already full... yet always made room for me. She never once questioned why I wanted to sleep over. My Mom worked in the local diner, six days a week, and somehow held nightmares back for her son while sometimes we slept nights at the train station... They were my angels, they never asked for a thank you.
I am a teacher educator. I know, where we stand today, to is not where we stand tomorrow. About 10 years ago, I started opening up about my own memories of being homeless. It was at a time when my teachers started sharing heart wrenching stories about the children they were teaching. Their students stories that made them feel helpless, and at times hopeless. I very slowly and cautiously began sharing my story about Mr. Bass who fed me lunch for a year. I relayed to my students what I knew, that humanity and kindness are a teacher’s greatest lesson. The first time I shared my story with my teachers, I cried in the car on my way home from the university. As I began talking a little more about this period of time in my life, it became easier; each time I shared a little more. Every single teacher I have taught knows the story of "Mr. Bass".
And to get back to why I wasn't at Mass last night, Fr Terry, James, Bill, and I brought hot meals/food to a homeless mens shelter in downtown Hartford CT. We served 81 men hot meals. Every single man humbly showed gratitude and kindness ~ to us. One commented to me "thanks for the meal, it helps to know we are still human beings, and there are others who still care.
81 grateful souls that we ordinarily might pass by in the streets. Who are these men? They are sons, husbands, brothers and even fathers. They deserve a little better ~ for they too are my brothers.
Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in West Hartford, donates this evening hot meal, monthly; Fr Terry has been doing this for years.
Kindness, compassion, and humanity ~ make us human.
Professor Emeritus Dr. Jesse P. Turner
Saved by the kindness of others.
If you like too listen to the tune that inspired my morning walk today..it is "Roof For The Rain" an Irish Ballad by the Freedom Flames
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