| When I was 17 yrs. Old, I lived in Modesto, Ca. My mother had passed away the yr.before, and my father and I weren't getting along. There was a lot of friction in the home, so I decided to go away. I moved to Minnesota, the place where I was born, back in the time of December, 1954. When I arrived, I visited a lot of old friends, played a lot of great music, and partied. I finally came back to Modesto in 1975. Between this time and until I was 30 yrs. Old, I experienced being homeless and on the street 50% of the time. When I didn't have a place to stay, I would often spend the night in the La loma Park area. A lot of my days were spent in La loma Park, playing music, talking with friends, barbecuing, sleeping, and of course, partying. In the summer- time, a lot of the regulars would gather in a big circle and take turns playing songs on their guitars. They would visit and enjoy being together most of the time. It was like the hippy days. Every once in awhile, a fight would break out, but it would usually be settled amongst us, without the police involved. I was so young and healthy, it didn't bother me very much to be homeless at the time. So I played some more music and partied - ha, ha, ha, - he, he, he. In the summer of 1986, I had a life changing experience. I was involved in a major, car accident, leaving me in a hospital bed, crippled. The doctor said, I might not ever walk again. A lot of people in Modesto prayed for me. They told me to pray also, so I did. There was nothing else I could do, but pray. Even though the Nerve Sheathes around the spinal cord were damaged, I still believed that God would help me walk again. After 2 months had gone by, I was still crippled and in the hospital bed. On one particular day, while I was praying, suddenly, something stood me up beside the hospital bed. I didn't know how or why, but I was standing on my own. Right then and there, I knew that I was going to walk again. I resumed playing guitar, but it was a slow process. I had to learn all over again, to use every muscle in my body. I gradually got better. Four yrs. later, after the accident, I met a woman by the name of Lory. I loved her very much and we decided to get married. Because of Drugs and Alcohol playing into the relationship, we were divorced 2 yrs. later. We were both very stubborn and head strong. After the accident, I was considered disabled, and never had a problem,again, with not having a home. I began recieving a disability income. Music has been a major part of my life. I've played in numerouse bands, made recordings, and played twice at the Double Tree Hotel, in Modesto, Ca.. I even played music at a ,senior couples, 50 yr. reunion party. I saw some old friends there,- that I knew when I was a teenager. Old friends like Bud, Bill, and David Hall. It had been 25 or 30 yrs. since I had seen them. I also saw George Lawson, a friend of Jimmy Flaherty's. I've lost a lot of friends over the years. Just last week, Harold Johnson passed away in Montery, and my friend Debra died in an alley by the Sunshine Place. You would think some body would have helped her, but they didn't. Six yrs. ago, another close friend by the name of Lynard, died in the city park, in broad daylight, with a heat stroke. No one helped him either. I'm 49 now, and I spend alot of time playing old blues songs on the front porch, on 3rd st. by Leo's Market. I don't like it when people steal from me. My brother spent 4 or 5 months in Ireland, and being of that nationality, I would like to go there myself, one day. Maybe, even, all of Europe. There's a whole succesion of the Scottish and Irish History, with alot of battles and strife. And Religiouse Denominations verses Nationality's playing hand in hand, as a large amount of their problems. There was also unnecessary fighting over Religiouse backgrounds. I think there will always be these denominational problems. You should be able to live the way you want to, as long as your not hurting other people. Everyone has different interpretations about what (living right,) really means. To me, living right means, trying to stay healthy, and loving people. My most favorite food is Pizza. My most favorite color is sky blue. And I love beutifull, young, Women. I don't think our Government is doing enough for the homeless, in the United States. You can measure the greatness of a nation by the way a Nation treats the most unfortunate members of their Country. It's not about morality or how they became homeless, It's about basic human needs. |
