What am I? The Hotel California?

It amazes me how it is that wayward waifs always manage to find my door. Yesterday two youngins came up to the place asking what it was. I informed them that it was a burger joint but that I had closed it a year and a half ago. Judging from the look of their faces I suspected something was amiss so I invited them inside. The first order of business was if they needed water, which they did. I asked them how long they had been walking and was told two days starting near downtown Fort Worth and the route they gave me on how they ended up at my door put their walk somewhere near 30 miles plus. My Place is located 31/2 miles outside of Burleson on a country road. When I asked where they had slept the night before the reply was outside somewhere.

A lot of their story from the young man did not add up but I did not push the subject. My guess is he was near or at 20 years of age and the young lady with him was 17 at most. I fixed them both something to eat, offered them a shower and a change of clothes while I washed and dried theirs. While all this was taking place I made them call their parents who live in Wichita
Falls about 4 hours from here, no one knew where they were or where they had gone. The young ladies mother had already reported her missing.

After about a half hour lecture from me I sent both to bed for some sleep. Their parents satisfied that they were alright and in a safe place made the trip to get them and picked them up later that evening after they had dinner with us.

This pair is only the latest in a life long barrage of kids who have appeared out of no where at my door in need. What? Is there a bat signal over my house that says the young and the stupid eat at Don's.

Don

What a wonderful person you are to step in and take care of these folks! A lot of people would have turned them away. At the risk of sounding "out there", perhaps that is one of the reasons you are here. You will never know what that act of faith and kindness could have meant to these young people and those who have come before. My early life was "challenging". It was a single parent household with eight children. My mother's idea of discipline was to have my older siblings hold me down and then beat me until I stopped moving. I have no doubt that if that would have happened today I probably would have been removed from the home. My saving grace was a teacher who did not know my home situation (and I never told anyone) but treated me with respect and kindness. Just that one person helped me to make it through without even knowing it.

A tough life to be sure tetleytuna and I am glad you found a rock on which to stand.

Don

Don,
You did a good thing. Perhaps there is some signal to some of where to get help.....even seemingly accidently.

Have you ever read Peter Jenkins books...Walk Across America and The Walk West? Some of the walk was in Texas........too cold up here to hike yet.

I have not read "Walk Across America" for some time. It is a great book!! I also did not know that he had written another. I will have to go find it. Thanks Indy.

Yep, your place is definitely marked in some comsmic/spiritual way. I love that kinda stuff, how cool for you and the wayward urchins who stumble in needing what you have to offer. Good on you Bud. I know a bit about this stuff because I'm the adoptive father of 7 boys, oldest is 45, the pup is 14. You got the light shining on you, keep up the good work.

Don,
Are you going to the spring roundup?

I knew I wanted to meet you from all the other forums I have followed you in.

But this... WOW!

You are a TEXAN in the fullest meaning of the term. Thank you for sharing.

Bill

I would say Don, that perhaps the good Lord has a map to your house and passes it on to all those needy young ones. I imagine the parents were extremely appreciative, as should they be...you open your heart and your home to those in need...God Bless...

Spring roundup? Hadn't given it much thought actually. I'll have to check the calendar again and see what shakes loose. As far as meeting me there ain't much to meet I'm afraid.

Don :)

Don, sounds like a lot of heart to meet. We have the same thing in Ky. Seems every wayward soul within a 50 mile radius finds us out in the boonies, and we give whatever assistance we can, and pray for them on the future journeys. Bless you.