Big events such as a death or a divorce in the family are definite marks of maturity. However, the the smaller encounters can be just as effective. About 13 years old, nothing too exciting, normal life, happy family, content. Until a man showed up and put a twist on things. He was a man that had led an unfortunate life and was looking for a phone. He knocked on our door. Lucky him. Lucky us.
The phone call was short, shifty, as if he wasn't talking to anyone at all but was seeking the few moments in a warm environment. Upon his exit, we invited him to stay for a meal. He cautiously though gracefully accepted. This is where it started, we got to know him. His name was John, he was about 36, although he hadn't kept exact track, no reason to. He had many tragic and negative experiences which led him to where he was then, stuck, trying to get back in line. John was nervous although he was warming up to us. He felt he had overstayed his welcome, which we quickly put an end to that thought and suggested he stay the night in the garage, because it was warmer than outside and we knew he wouldn't be comfortable in the house. John finally agreed.
About 6 months later John was practically part of the family. It wasn't as if he was some strange wondering man that we had been forced to take in. John was different he seemed to have a comfort about him. He fit right in. By this point John had a job and was saving up to buy a house and get back into the fast paced society. Eventually he was doing quite well for himself, and we all felt good about what we had done to help out John when he had no where to go. John had a lot of wisdom and experiences to share, he had a large personal impact on our lives.
It was foggy, about 2 years after John came and found us that cold winter day. John was ill, he had been infected by a virus at some point when he was homeless and it was slowly deteriorating his immune system. John wasn't going to make it. We loved him, as if he had grown up in the family. Why couldn't he have come just a few months sooner and we could have helped him. He was so young. He had come so far from where he started. He knew it was thanks to us, though no one needed to ever mention it. He felt great gratitude to us and wanted us to know. We stayed with John in his last moments, though he didn't want us to, he always had to make a situation a happy one, or end it with a laugh. This one wasn't funny though we all knew he wanted us to be happy, and he was content with his life. We laughed all night long and finally said goodbye to John and went home. We went home knowing it was probably the last time we would see John.
The next day we got a phone call saying that John had died, though he just simply fell asleep smiling and didn't wake up. Though saddened we were okay, John was lucky and so were we. We took so much away from the friendship. Two days after John had died we got called in to the lawyer to read off his will, though we weren't expecting there to be much in it. The will stated: " I leave all of my monetary assets to my family." We were told that was us. The gesture was very thoughtful and we were extremely grateful, though we knew of his finances. The lawyer gave us an envelope with the financial statements. We opened the envelope, the number was six digits. And came with a letter telling us that he had all of this money saved and chose to live the way he did. When he realized our kindness, maturity and graciousness he knew exactly what he was meant to do with this. John loved us, and we loved him.
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