Grace beyond the tracks

[Heavyduty053]

 

The orphanage boy

 

                    Only twelve years old and in an orphanage  back in the year 1963. It had not even entered his mind that the next day was going to be Thanksgiving and this day was one of the few days that we kids got to eat all that we wanted. He was headed out to Jacksonville Florida and he thought he was west bound. People told him that he had a mother and father in California somewhere and he wanted to find them.

                    It was November and it was getting a little cold as the sun was going down. He knew from past experiences wanting to make that run but wasn't old enough that he could not stay on the main road as the police would be looking for him. They would return him to the Duvall Country Juvenile Hall or worse, back to the orphanage once again and be disciplined. As he was walking along the railroad tracks, he came across a big bonfire where several men standing around in a circle trying to stay warm. One hollowed out, "Where you headed kid?" I'm going to California to find my mom and dad was his answer.

                    "You going the wrong way kid, California is back the other way". Come on over and warm yourself. Slowly he walked over to where the warm fire was and it sure was nice. IF your hungry there is some hot beans on the fire, grab you some. This surely wasn't a meal like we got at the Orphanage and them wasn't exactly great but food was food and he was hungry. By the time he was finished he had done ate two cans full and they were good. I thought to myself it sure ws good of them to share some of their food with me not knowing me or anything. Then one of the men said, "might as well stay here for the night my friend, you can't find your way to good in the dark of night". His eyes got real big and thoughts starting flowing through his head is it safe here, but he decided he was cornered so why not. they gave him a big army blanket that really stunk but was really warm. The next morning for breakfast he ate beans again and they were real good. After breakfast they cleaned up their mess, let the fire burn out and then poured water on the rest so it wouldn't start a bigger fire.

                    For most of the day they all walked along the tracks talking like they had known one another for years. They came across a apple orchard next to the tracks and they got a bunch of apples to munch on. Right before dark they came upon this country store not to far from the tracks and one of the men went into the store and asked the clerk if he had some work he could do for some bread and ham, but the clerk to him no and to move along. After a few minutes the boy went into the store and when the clerk wasn't looking he grabbed the bread and meat and ran out the door. That night for supper they had fruit, meat sandwiches and beans for their Thanksgiving dinner. I never knew that people like hobo's ever said grace before a meal especially after stealing food, but they did and they really meant it too, because I could tell it in their voices when they all said, "AMEN".

                    You guys say grace before your meals and I don't see that you have anything to be thankful for. You got tow arms and two legs don't you. "Course if got two arms and legs, then you got something to be thankful for, said the man then he pulled up his pants leg to show him a wooden leg. It got shot off in the war. We all went to sleep that night and the next morning the four men said their goodbyes and they walked on. He sat there and thought about what that man said and he got up and took his two arms and his two legs back to the Orphanage. When I saw the head matron Mrs. Winters I told her that I wads sorry for running away  and that I was ashamed but I learned something while I was out there. I learned how to be grateful for what I have and thank God that he cares for me.

 

We may not have what we desire but every one of us has something in our lives or just our life to be thankful for...Make sure our good lord knows you are grateful on Thanksgiving Day........Have a happy one.

 

 

[sandfly]

That was good h thanks 

[KristiD]

I'm so very thankful we didn't get Hillarious!  Thank you Lord and God bless America!!  (and goooo RV!)

[fringe on lamps]

Thank you for the story - and outcome.