Thumb in the Wind

My blogs tend to have some raw intense emotions. So I'd like to introduce some new emotions! Excitement, happiness, joy even.

Ever since struggling with homelessness I've had huge heart for helping people when and if I can. I'm an avid hitch hiker- picker-upper. Yes I know I'm a woman, yes I know I should be safe. Fuck that. If someone I'm trying to help hurts me- let them- I deserve it. Until then, I'm a single woman, no kids, never pregnant meant to serve others. So take your prideful- too good to pick up a sweaty man on the side of your local pubic road on a 95 degree day- personality elsewhere.

The first person I ever helped give a ride to was when I was living in Idaho driving home. I was 18 and my boyfriend was in the passenger seat. It was well after 9pm and there was guy on a old back road walking. I asked my boyfriend if he thought we should pick him up. He said he thought that was a great idea. So we turned around and picked him up. Turns out my boyfriend knew of the guy, Idaho is a small town kinda place. He was on his way home- over 25 miles to home, he was going to talk. He was also very drunk. I did not know that about him, until after he got out of the car and my boyfriend mentioned he could smell it on him. I was young and naive.

From there I've given people asking for help left over food I had. I even picked up a guy in crazy hot weather carrying at least 6 grocery bags per hand, only to help him go about half a mile farther to where he lived. he was very grateful.

I picked up a guy on a cold winter sleeting night that was walking with a empty oil can in his hands. I presumed that was for heat. I Had seen this guy before on this road, during day time and other nights. I happen to be in my dads old truck this time and didn't mind a wet cold passenger. I had the time. He was surprised that a young lady picked him up to help and said that he's probably old enough to be my grandfather, though he was only 57. He looked 70, with his matted hair, old clothing, facial hair and deep voice. We exchanged names, but I don't remember his name now. I told him I didn't have money to offer but I could give him a ride. Where was he headed? He just needed to go to the gas station to fill his petroleum oil for heat. I told him I could do that. So I waited for him in the car as he went inside and made his order. When he got back in I asked where to, and he said "you can drop me off where you picked me up", which was only 2.5 miles. away. I told him I would be more than happy to get him to a shelter since it was so cold. He said he had animals that keep him company in his small little shack and couldn't take them to a shelter, so he preferred to stay homeless. He was a another homeless vet. He said he figured he'd die soon from poor healthy and old age. I thought to myself, 57 is old age? My grandmother was 75 at this time and could train for a marathon if she wanted. This car ride impacted me the most. He was hopeless and sad. And my small act of kindness didn't stack up to his decades of trauma and loneliness.

I recently met another lady thumbing it on my way home from babysitting, needing to go home to shower for a dinner date. There were too many cars to pull off right away so I flipped a U-turn. She hopped in my car and treated me like an old friend. She too, was drunk. I asked where to. She said " The liquor store." So off we went to the liquor store. When she came back out she told me she was leaving her husband and she needed to head out of state. I told her the best I could do is drop her off by a near by gas station around my house as I was headed home. She talked a lot and couldn't make up her mind, but I wasn't willing to driver her 3 hours away. She did offered me some gas money and a gas station cherry icey. She continued gossiped with me like we had known each other a while as we approached her drop off. And that was that, I kept things brief, as intoxicated passengers aren't my preferred company.

Next fellow was just this month, and he was on his way into town. He said " for a meeting". He wasn't dressed for anything business and his stained jeans and boots were partnered with a grey t-shirt that was dark with sweat. I presumed it was AA/NA meeting or something of the sort, I was on my way to the library and to therapy myself so I figured why not? It was a busy familiar road, it was ridiculously hot, how could I not offer help? He was walking my direction. He was friendly, and that was all. Simple ride, simple act of kindness.

And the last and probably one of the most exciting of stories was just two days ago! I was on my way home in the morning driving on interstate 70 down south mountain, and on the OTHER side of the road I saw a car broken down, hood up, and now two defeated looking people, heads down walking towards the nearest gas station. I thought about taking the 'Authorities Only turn about' but just hit the near exit instead. I always think "What if someone else stopped by the time I get there?" No one has ever beat me to it though. My personal calls to help others when I can have really just been up to me. I was in absolutely no hurry to get home, and would rather not be home with current family visiting, so I when I pulled up behind them, I noticed some women in the tall grass. Hopefully I was interrupting them taking a piss. haha Their license plate said Illinois. I stayed in my car and smiled and waved. The windows were already down, because no AC in my car when a super cute, shirtless, guy approached my passenger car window I hadn't seen when passing the car earlier or first pulling up. I said hello and told him I'm not sure how I could help, but I'm willing to offer rides! He at first asked me if I'd be willing to pick up some parts at auto zone for them and bring it back, then realized that working on the car on the side of the road isn't the best idea. The other girls walk over and suggest to cancel the uber that didn't want to do a road side pick up anyways, then have the tow truck that was already on its way, take the other two men to meet up with them. So they hopped in and off we went.

The cute guy told me they were worried about safety and was glad I was a woman. No one else had stopped and offered help and they were out there for close to an hour and a half. The one girl was 3foot 6 inches tall, and I found out rather quickly she was an adult entertainer heading to DC for a performance. They invited me to their show and gave me her business card. The drive was short, but that walk would have been horrible!

I did end up going to their show with a friend and it was a really cool experience. First time at a strip club for me infact! HA! Valet parking was sketch and tried to make me pay twice though. Maybe I will see them around again. Neat people!

Help someone sometime- you might meet a stripper or you might just help a drunk lady flee the state from her husband. Who knows!