On An Adventure

Tonight on my drive home from work, I had one of the most humbling experiences. It all started today when I went to the Dollar Tree in Lincolnton on my lunch break. On my way back into work, I saw a man sitting on the side of the road tucked in next to the woods. You could tell that the man was homeless from the clothing he wore and make shift home laying in the back ground. At first I didn't think twice about this, but it was tonight that that still small voice spoke to me. We had a Krispy Kreme donut fundraiser at work on Thursday and there were 3 left over boxes sitting in the front office about to go bad. Knowing good and well that I don't want nor need these (as I am dieting), I gave one of the boxes to my co-worker and then left the other boxes sitting there. Tonight as I clocked out, I heard something telling me to go back in and get those boxes. That is when the Lord spoke to me clear as day. He told me to take those donuts to the man I had seen earlier in the day. So, I hopped in my car and off I went. I was wondering if the man would even be there? Sure enough as I made the turn into the gravel drive, there he was. I got out of my car, walked around to the other side and opened my car door. I took the two boxes and asked the gentleman how he was doing? With a big smile he said, "I am good" I then asked if he would like to take the donuts? He smiled at me and then said "honestly, I have more then enough food, but if you want me to take the box, then I will" He took the box, and then I asked what his name was? He told me his name was JC Wright. I then asked where he was from and he told me Charleston, SC. I told him how much I love it there and then we proceeded to talk about Folly Beach and Isle of Palms. He then looked at me and said "the spirit of the Lord lead you here" With tears in my eyes, I managed to utter the words "yes" He looked at me and then said, "you know how I can tell it was the Spirit that led you here?" I said "how?" He said "it's in your eyes". I then started crying and he told me not to worry about him, that he had been blessed and that he choose to be this way. He said he was on an Adventure. I stood outside in the cold with this man for nearly 30 minutes. He told me how he choose to live like this because of Hurricane Katrina. He said he watched the news day after day and then thought to himself what he would do, should something like that happen to him. He said he decided to pack up, and take only what he could carry on his back. He told me this was his second adventure and that he had been as far as Washington, DC. He said he wanted to travel and live in different environments so he would know how to survive in any type of situation. I asked if he needed anything along the way and he said water resistant shoes would be nice. I asked him what size he wore and he said a size 9 wide. He also asked me to take food to the people who lived under the bridge. He said he didn't know their names, but that it was a couple that lived there and he had offered them food earlier, but they wouldn't take it. We then started talking about money and how much Americans waste and how they will go into debt for anything. We talked about Christmas and he mentioned the fact that people will nearly max out their credit cards just because of one day. He then said..."If they only knew what Christmas was about." What was even more humbling, was the fact that within those 30 minutes of standing there and talking with this man, that three other people stopped. The first came with a hot cup of coffee. The second, a lady with some hot home made beef stew, and another gentleman came as I was telling JC good bye. He opened his wallet and wanted to give JC money, but he wouldn't accept. I wish I could explain the feeling that over came me, as I drove off. I knew the Lord was with me. I burst into tears and thought about all that I had to be thankful for. Just earlier that day, I was complaining and wishing that my job paid more. I then drove down a ways and remembered another man that I saw on the side of the road. I believe his actual name is Todd, as I have heard of this man before. I walked up to him while he was fiddling with his grocery cart. I asked if he too, would like the donuts, but he said he would have to decline because of his teeth. He told me thank you and I went on my way. While leaving, again the flood gates opened. I simply said "thank you Lord, thank you." We have so much to be grateful for and I pray that as we approach the holiday season that we remember this. I thank the Lord for all those people who stopped and I wondered if the Spirit of the Lord had spoke to them too? One way or another, I know that I was led to this man, JC Wright for a reason. And for that I am truly humbled and grateful. Thank you Lord for all you give and take away and thank you Lord for leading me to JC Wright. Tonight I pray that you will keep him safe and warm and may I never forget this man who touched my heart.

Of Sound, Mind and Body

Today I was once again reminded of all that I have to be thankful for. Today, I am most thankful for a clear mind and the ability to remember things. I work in a place where many are in the early and late stages of dementia. I sit here and think about just how blessed I am. I have the ability to recall things that just happened five minutes ago. I am not scared because I know where I am at and I know the people around me. And to my amazement, I can even remember what I had for dinner last night. To some that may not seem like much, but for me, it means everything. It means life is still some what "normal" for me. It means I still have my independence and don't have to rely on someone telling me where I am at every 15 minutes. I have seen many struggle with this terrible desease and trust me, I would not wish dementia on my worst enemy. I will admit dementia is something that truly scares me. My Grandmother suffered from Alzheimers for years, until she was finally laid to rest. At first, it was the little things she couldn't seem to remember. Like forgetting to take her meds, mispacing things etc. But then as the years went on and her memory got worse, she forget those who she loved. She couldn't remember names and faces. I watched as those who loved her dearly suffered from her loss of memory. It is my prayer that this disease never again affects those that I hold so dearly to my heart. While at work today, I heard the faint voice of one of our residents yelling for help. I stood up, opened my office door and made my way down the hall to our dining room. One of the residents was sitting in the kitchen area and had forgotten where she was at. She looked at me with tears in her eyes and said "Please, please, please help me!" You could see the frustration as her eyes met mine. I took her by the hand, as I asked her what was wrong? She again looked at me and said "I am lost and I don't know where I am at, can you please help me?" I asked if she wanted to go back to her room and this seemed to frustrate her even more. She said, "I am not sure if I have a room here" I assured her that she did and told her I would take her there. Her face lit up, as if all the worries in the world had disappeared. We made our way down the hall and just past the Entertainment room. As we passed by, we saw her room mate sitting there. They immediately recognized one another, and it was if she had found her place. She then remembered where she was at, and as I turned to walk away, she grabbed my arm and said "thank you". As I made my way back to the front office, I couldn't help, but to recall memories of my grandmother. That is when it hit me...what if I no longer had those memories? Life is so very precious, and I pray that as I get older the memories I have will never fade away. I pray for those who are suffering from dementia at this very moment, that today would be a good day. I pray for their families and friends and most of all, I pray for a cure! I, Dallas Welch, being of sound, mind and body have a lot to be thankful for.