ONE OF LIFE'S SURPRISES

We have a young man that works here part of the time.   For privacy sake (I know none of you know him but to be fiar) I'll call him Dan.    He's mentally challanged and the couple from New York have really taken him under their wing when they are here.   HOWEVER, they are only here 4 to 5 months a year.   They leave in the morning.

This young man takes care of his grandmother who is ill.   She had to have some kind of surgery last winter when we were here and he would not work during her recovery so he could take care of her.

To be honest this is about ALL he is capable of doing.   He reads very little, spells even less, and math is out of the question from what I've heard.   BUT...he is one of the kindest, friendliest young men you will ever meet.

The man from New York takes him in the community with him to work and tries to see if he can teach him a trade but they think that is next to impossible.

Dan got into an argument with an uncle awhile back and someone called the police.  Neither Dan or his uncle would press charges but apparently the police did.   Dan was fined $500, 40 hours of community work, and a fee of $40 a month for 4 or 5 months for something.

I learned today that the couple from New York went to court with him to vouch for him, paid the $500  and got it set up that the community work could be done here.    They also paid the $40 fee. 

Now they leave tomorrow and he is such a sad person today.   I felt so bad for him at lunch.   Before we leave here we always have to have our picture taken and they always include Dan in theirs.   The volunteer here that takes theirs, frames it and they give it to Dan.  

So if you would say a little prayer for a young man in Baldwin, LA with a heavy heart tonight I'd appreciate it.