This weekend assisted a 23 year old mother of three kids from Houston who got stranded in St. Louis after her car broke down. She was at the Love's asking people in the fuel isle if they could spare some food or help out with anything. I hear the A-hole next to me tell her "what are you going to do for me?" She turned away and walked over to me asking the same questions. I said "don't even listen to or acknowledge people like that friggin A-hole... she broke down into tears. I said, "hey, what's going on, don't cry. He's a dickhead". She says, "No, It's not that, I can't believe this is happening to me." Immediately a different guy, an Old Dawg, from the other side comes over and says "are you okay?". She said she's stranded and on the streets as of last night with her three kids, all girls between 1 and 8. Said she just needs some food and formula for them. We both were stunned. Looked at each other and said "let's do this".

 After pulling the trucks forward, I parked, we both pitch in to help. He runs in and grabs some fruit, yogurts, and milk. I go with her to order up from the McD's menu. Waiting for our food she says, "thank you soooo... much for caring." Old Dawg brings her the bag of goods and says "Take care, gotta Go". She gives him a huge hug and says "Thank you". We sat down and she described word for what happened to get herself in the situation. Turns out she came to St. Louis to rescue her 16 year old little sister who ran away with some punk gangster thug who she thinks might have possibly got her hooked on some crack or some crap. She said it was simple, come here pick her up... then turn around and head back for Houston. But, nope, little sister resisted, argued, jumped out of the car, kids in the back. She gets out and runs towards her, leaves the door open, some dude dressed in red. Runs to the driver's side and jumps in to steal the car, he shuts the door, puts it in gear, stops, guess he sees the kids, grabs her purse instead and takes off running. She's wearing sandals. Now, ID, credit card, bank card, SS card... gone.

 Li'l sister then decides to get in the car. They drive to safe spot to chill, grab some grub with cash on-hand and calm down the kids. All said and done, they get back in the car and it won't start. She walks to the nearest hotel and gets a room thinking "call Mom". Her ma throws down for a couple nights. Money runs out 8 days later. Hotel says they have to leave and, well she's out of options.

 Whole time I'm thinking, so I ask, "where's your man? Father of your kids? Get ready for this one... she said, He went back to Mexico. "What?" She says he abandoned them and she's been trying make ends meet since. 

So, I walk down the streetfood in hand, book another couple nights for her at that crappy hotel down the street. Tell her "tomorrow call a mobile mechanic". Call me to get the mechanic paid. I'll western union some more funds for fuel, food and formula. 

 Yesterday, like clock work, calls me at 8am. says car is fixed. I paid of the mechanic and at this moment she is on her way back to her family and safety in Houston with li'l sis and the kids in tow. Feels good to help and she was more than beyond appreciative. 

 I know we all have helped others in need, that's one thing. To help someone in a bad spot means more than we can imagine. It felt like the right thing to do all I could in lending a helping hand. The sad part is, it all revolved around money and the lack of it on her part. I drilled it in her to get that emergency fund built up and let it simmer. Don't touch it! Just glad I have a li'l extra cabbage to help out. She insisted she pay me back. Told her pay it forward. Good deed, DONE.