Will's Mom on the MGB story...

[Raven]

I am writing this because I want to fill in some blanks that Will couldn't and I also want people to know that what I did was normal operating proceedure to me and should be to everybody. This young man lived in a hovel that BC apparently approved of and his parents never checked out. He lived in a basement room that was damp and had little heat in spite of the New England winter. He was a smart, handsome kid who came from a "good" Chicago family. He was educated at Jesuit schools out there. All of this I garnered sitting at my kitchen table that night with that kid.... I told him that night to go home and come back in a week...I did that because, quite honestly, I did not know what to do with him and I was buying time. During that next week, I spoke to two priests that I trusted and some others like my father who I knew were unfailing ethical. I wanted to know, simply...if I should turn him in to the authorities or follow my own best instincts and help him in my own way. They all told me that going my own way was OK.

Going my own way with this young man turned out to be the right thing. He kept in touch with me for a few years and he finished at BC and he seemed to have turned his life around. That, compared to a few charred law books, seemed a small sacrifice.

The interesting thing about this is Will's memory...he was a tiny boy...sitting secretly at the top of the stairs, scared to death I assume...while I hosted this troubled man in my kitchen...he heard it all... I wonder now if he thought I had invited an ax murderer into to house...he obviously learned something from it...hence, to my last comment about this...

People...parents...you just never know what acts of yours make an impact on your children. It surprised me when Will raised this story... it's not exactly in the family scrapbook...but it certainly made an impression on him and I can only be grateful that I did the right thing... this is now, what? 25+ years later...Will remembers and has now made me remember...I can look back and think that it was one of the few unselfish things that I did in my life but I'd do it again in a minute!

[housewolf]

1. It is only fitting, right and just

That Will, being the angel he is, had an angel for a mother.

Bless you both for your goodness.

[Raven]

2. Hi Housewolf!

I don't think it's angels... it should be human nature...we all have it in us... we all have it naturally until the government beats it out of us.

[lavenderdiva]

3. What a wonderful

Thank you for updating us and filling in the blanks from Will's story. You have raised an inspiring man, one we treasure here at DU! Thank you for the sacrifices you have made and the lessons he learned from you, and is now sharing with all of us. :hi:

[Raven]

5. I just want you to know...

he was a little shit growing up...heh, heh :evilgrin:

[lavenderdiva]

8. I'm sure you have many, many stories you could share!

My late mother used to always say, 'I hope I live long enough to see your children treat you the same way you treat me'. Sorry to say, she didn't live long enough, plus the fact that I don't have children! Hmmm... hadn't really thought about the correlation there. Could be more to this decision than I first thought! Something to ponder here!!

[qwghlmian]

4. When I read the story I wondered -

when he reasonably settled his life - did he ever offer to pay you back for the car?

[Raven]

7. He sent a check to the insurance company.

By the time he showed up at my door, I had already filed an insurance claim for the car. That was one of my dilemas at the time. It turned out that my insurance company had a way that you could pay then without them knowing who you are. He did that. I don't know if you could do that now. These were the days before Big Brother and the Patriot Act!

[pacalo]

6. Like so many people here, I was impressed with your story.

You truly served as an angel in this boy's life. I could easily see where your life was turned upside down by this man's thoughtless moment of despair, but your compassion, empathy, & generosity toward this downtrodden person enabled him to seek out a more fruitful path. I have no doubt that it was your kindness toward him that drove him in the right direction in life.

It's also touching that you had no idea before Will posted the story how much it touched his life. We have two good lessons here. Thanks to you both for sharing. :)

[cally]

9. When I read Will's story, I thought of you. I doubted

that you planned for your son to hear and understand. But it's the actions that speak volumes to our children. You acted and made a huge difference to all of us.

For me, it's my Mom driving back to the grocery store to return a quarter that they have given in too much change. It's my Mom embarassing me yelling at the shoe