I have been working on the Family Tree for my "significant other's" paternal side of the family.
Other than writing; cemeteries and genealogy are another of my passions.....I actually call them addictions. I can wander through an old cemetery regardless if any of my own family is buried there.
Old cemeteries are peaceful. There are often interesting, informative tombstones - and there's certainly no chance of any long-winded conversations, if one is alone!
Through hours of digging, I had learned that many of my friend's father's mother's family were buried in a cemetery not too far from where he now lives. Yesterday, on our way back to his home from a "weekend getaway," I suggested that we go by the old cemetery and try to find some of the tombstones.
(We found the huge cemetery, but need more information to find the stones.)
We ended up stopping at McDonald's for a "healthy" lunch of a chicken sandwich and a chocolate shake. Outside, in the hot sun, sat a woman looking pretty disheveled.
After we got inside and began to eat, she came in and sat across from us. Her face was red from the sun and the heat, and I felt guilty as we ate and she seemed to watch. She had nothing, in her hands, but a small phone - no purse or wallet.
We debated about whether or not to offer her some food and decided to talk to the McDonald's Manager. We were assured that she had bought herself a drink, so we figured she had money had she wanted to eat.
As we got ready to leave, my friend stopped and spoke to her and asked her how she was doing and her reply was, "not too good."
He continued the conversation by asking her what was wrong. She told him she was stranded in this small town and needed to get back to Des Moines - approximately 80 miles away - and had no way to get there.
I walked up, and he looked at me and said, "she needs to get to Des Moines." My response was, "too bad we just came from there." His next question was, "should we take her?"
I was surprised by this, because I'm the one who usually does these type of things that one should not do, in this day and age! And, I get fussed at!
Now, we were going to drive back - the same 80 some odd miles we had just driven - and take this unknown (strange looking) woman to Des Moines.
My response was, "whatever you think."
By now, several other people in the restaurant had begun to look and listen - and after we had her in the car - they came to my friend and asked, "Are you sure this is a smart thing to do?"
He said, "She needs help."
As we made the trip, back toward Des Moines, we learned (quickly) that she was a 'Special Needs person' who had really been "taken in" by someone.
A man had paid a taxi over $100 to bring her to his small town the night before. Apparently, she wasn't what he had hoped for, and he stranded her. She had lost her medications, she had no money and she couldn't get back home.
She didn't ask us for any money - she asked for nothing - and she was very appreciative that we were willing to take her home. The house where she lived, with a caregiver, was well-kept and in a nice area. She thanked us and jumped out of the car and ran toward her house.
Last night, during my "wakeful" periods, she took up space in my mind.
I am a firm believer that "God works in mysterious ways," and this had certainly been one of those days and one of those ways.
We often have no idea what the storyline may be, in the lives of others.
Other than writing; cemeteries and genealogy are another of my passions.....I actually call them addictions. I can wander through an old cemetery regardless if any of my own family is buried there.
Old cemeteries are peaceful. There are often interesting, informative tombstones - and there's certainly no chance of any long-winded conversations, if one is alone!
Through hours of digging, I had learned that many of my friend's father's mother's family were buried in a cemetery not too far from where he now lives. Yesterday, on our way back to his home from a "weekend getaway," I suggested that we go by the old cemetery and try to find some of the tombstones.
(We found the huge cemetery, but need more information to find the stones.)
We ended up stopping at McDonald's for a "healthy" lunch of a chicken sandwich and a chocolate shake. Outside, in the hot sun, sat a woman looking pretty disheveled.
After we got inside and began to eat, she came in and sat across from us. Her face was red from the sun and the heat, and I felt guilty as we ate and she seemed to watch. She had nothing, in her hands, but a small phone - no purse or wallet.
We debated about whether or not to offer her some food and decided to talk to the McDonald's Manager. We were assured that she had bought herself a drink, so we figured she had money had she wanted to eat.
As we got ready to leave, my friend stopped and spoke to her and asked her how she was doing and her reply was, "not too good."
He continued the conversation by asking her what was wrong. She told him she was stranded in this small town and needed to get back to Des Moines - approximately 80 miles away - and had no way to get there.
I walked up, and he looked at me and said, "she needs to get to Des Moines." My response was, "too bad we just came from there." His next question was, "should we take her?"
I was surprised by this, because I'm the one who usually does these type of things that one should not do, in this day and age! And, I get fussed at!
Now, we were going to drive back - the same 80 some odd miles we had just driven - and take this unknown (strange looking) woman to Des Moines.
My response was, "whatever you think."
By now, several other people in the restaurant had begun to look and listen - and after we had her in the car - they came to my friend and asked, "Are you sure this is a smart thing to do?"
He said, "She needs help."
As we made the trip, back toward Des Moines, we learned (quickly) that she was a 'Special Needs person' who had really been "taken in" by someone.
A man had paid a taxi over $100 to bring her to his small town the night before. Apparently, she wasn't what he had hoped for, and he stranded her. She had lost her medications, she had no money and she couldn't get back home.
She didn't ask us for any money - she asked for nothing - and she was very appreciative that we were willing to take her home. The house where she lived, with a caregiver, was well-kept and in a nice area. She thanked us and jumped out of the car and ran toward her house.
Last night, during my "wakeful" periods, she took up space in my mind.
I am a firm believer that "God works in mysterious ways," and this had certainly been one of those days and one of those ways.
We often have no idea what the storyline may be, in the lives of others.
Oh, Sarah. this story brought me to tears. You have such a gift for writing. It made me feel like I was right there beside you and I could feel that woman's pain. God will have a special place in heaven for both of you for taking care of that woman. I have a 7 year old special needs grandson (he is autistic). When I think about the things that could happen to him in the future, it really scares me sometimes. I love you blog and you know how much I love your writing. I read "Feigning Knowledge" to my son tonight. He loved it. My 13 year old granddaughter, is actually going to start reading your book. So glad I auditioned for your book. Thanks. Laura
ReplyDeleteLaura: Thank you for your compliment. I was very proud of Mike for his decision to help this woman. Unfortunately, she had made a bad choice....and God put someone there to help her.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you narrated my book....I'm listening and loving it!!
Hugs,
Sarah