BLANKETS, A TRUE STORY

This is a true story about blankets and some of the people who use them.
The other day when I mentioned those who sleep under the freeway overpasses and wrap themselves up in blankets one of you in this community mentioned that it wasn't a pleasant experience.  Thanks to the grace of God this individual found the way to get out from under the difficulties that had caused him to live that way.  
He readily admits that much of it was his fault.  Much like the prodigal son in the Bible story, he was able to slowly but surely bring himself out of the misery.
His rehabilition is moral and physical.  His body is not as sound as it could be for his age, but he doesn't let that prevent him from helping others.  He doesn't let it prevent him from holding a small job that he can do and which keeps him in gasoline.  He has a decent place to stay and is able to offer his talents to others who need the same type of rehabilitative help that he does on an on-going basis.  He has become a reliable help to us in our church ministry as well.  He has a way of touching people who need to be reassured.  He also has a way with a pen [well, these days it's a keyboard] and is published on a fairly regular basis on one of the blogs maintained by the online Catholic magazine, www.Parishworld.net. called "Voices from the Parish."
It is easy to fall into a cynical mood when we encounter "success" stories of this nature.  It is no doubt because they shine the light on the one in a thousand.  Even when we live the story first hand as we have been doing with our new found friend, we wonder how he can be so clean and capable now and have a story like that in his soul.  We are happy to be around him.  Those with whom he relates are glad that he is a part of the ministerial team.  Most do not know just how far he has travelled and how much of it was a steep uphill battle.  But somehow, although they do not know chapter and verse, they can feel the sincerity of the emanations of his spirit.  
I have had many experiences with human beings over the years.  I have many stories that I carry around in my mind and my heart.  I have good ones and bad ones.  Funny ones and sad ones.  I have to say though that most of them are neither really sad nor really glad...they are simply what I call,"Head Shakers."  They just make you wonder!
Bottom line here is:  I know that it is now Summer [northern hemispshere Summer] so whatever you do, do not throw your old blanket away.  For all you know it could be the warmth of your love that will put someone back on the right path.