Hi, I'm John Woolum, and I was homeless in Mariposa Ca. around 1981. The sherrifs department told me I had to leave the county. When I left on my Harley, I had one dollar in my pocket, and a full tank of gas. My first stop was Las Vegas, Nevada. On arrival, I was feeling down and depressed. I made my way to the casino's, betting my last dollar on a craps game. There must have been a guardian angel looking out for me, because I couldn't lose. I played all night long and walked away the next morning with almost $2000.00 I left there with my pockets full and headed east, towards Denver. When I arrived in Denver, I found my way to the local park. There were wino's, drunkards, and druggies lounging in the park. I bought a bottle or two, and kicked it with them for a while. I quickly befriended and bonded with the crowd of homeless people. After a few hours, I found it within my power, financially, to help and bless these people. So I took everyone in the park to a mexican restaurant and payed their way. We broke bread together, got our belly's full, and eventually made our way back to the park. After relaxing with my new friends for a few hours, one of them asked me how long it had been since I had a bath. I said, "It's been a few days I guess". And then he said, "why don't you come with us and go to the Mission. So we headed down the line towards the Mission.
We had to take turns showering at the Mission. When it was my turn, I put my wallet up on a ledge in the shower and forgot it. When we got back to the park, I suddenly realized my wallet had been left behind with alot of money in it. A little while later a wino that I was drinking with, showed up with my wallet. The wino said, "I think you left this behind, but rest assured, I didn't take a thing out of it." I took the wallet, counted the money, and saw that there was nothing missing. It was about time to go so I started up the Harley and headed for Kansas City, Missouri.
When I got there I went to a bar, got intoxicated, walked out and got jammed up by the police and they searched me and my bike. From there I left for Saint Louis. When I got there I went to Mariland Heights to see a partner. I stayed their for a while, working at a machine shop. I met this girl and sparks flew. We got married, had two baby's, and then the problems arrived.
Seven years went by and my wife developed problems psychologically and she left my house. I got very depressed and gave everthing away. Then I got on my Harley and went to Modesto, Ca. After getting there, I went to a lady friends house. She put me up for a while and we became very close friends. This was a platonic relationship. I attended church with her for awhile, but it didn't happen for me there. I frequently reminisce of travels on my Harley, looking down a long trail of highway, leading me to places I've never been before. Maybe one day I'll pull my head out of the tail pipe and smell the roses. |
