“Hobo Wilson ... a homeless friend, filled up with purpose.”

We met him on a springtime day and it changed my life forever.

The elderly homeless man just stood there in place, and really sized my daughter up with his eyes as she approached him. She had no idea what she was going to do or say but something inside of her  heart told her  to have this conversation.

She looked deeply into the elderly man's eyes, they were sky blue, watery, determined, and very serious. The elderly man just stared into her  eyes, took a deep breath and said, "May I call you Doc?" She replied, "Yes, of course." She then asked him, "What is your name." He said, "Hobo." Her  reply was, "I just cannot call you Hobo, what is your name?" He replied,"My name is Bob Wilson." She asked, "If you are going to call me Doc, may I call you Wilson?" He shouted, "certainly Doc!"

He was a veteran, and now a homeless man that traveled by train from town to town over decades. Wilson described how he would get on a train, not knowing exactly where it was going, and get off when the feeling struck him to do so. He had been doing this for decades. Although he was a homeless train traveler, Wilson traveled from town to town, in order to help homeless people find a home.

Wilson did not travel with anyone or have any roots whatsoever. He was as free as an eagle in our eyes. For a moment, we fantasized about his lifestyle ... no utility bills, mortgage, dinner to prepare or patients to see. In some sense, he seemed to have a better life than we had.

Next, my daughter took Wilson to the apartment complex that she co-owned with her  business partner. Some of these apartments were fully furnished. She told him that he would be living there for free, as long as he wanted to, or for the rest of his life, and that it was his choice. Wilson suddenly burst out crying, and put his head in his hands. He cried so hard, and long, that she thought he must have a puddle of tears in his hands.

It was not long before Wilson gave his heart and life to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior! He became saved and changed his lifestyle completely.

About six months later, Wilson passed away. It was heart breaking!  We found a piece of paper with a man’s name and phone number. It was Wilson's brother. His brother told us that he had not seen Wilson in decades. Wilson's brother was kind to us, and cried over the loss of his brother.

A few months later, we mailed Wilson's brother two books that we had written. One book was Blue Ridge Moments Volume 1, subtitled, "Your Life Is Only As Good As Your Connection With Jesus," and the second book was a children's book about Hobo Wilson called "Blue Ridge Tenderpups Meet Hobo Wilson Christmas Eve."  Wilson's brother was so happy and could hardly believe that someone had written books about his brother.

Springtime always makes us think of the day we  met Wilson, and how he changed our lives. We truly believe that he helped us so much more than we ever helped him. Wilson is in Heaven now living in a mansion that the Lord prepared for him forever.

John 15:12
My command is this:  Love each other as I have Loved you.

Evelyn Minton and her daughter, Dr. Billie J. Minton are the authors of the Blue Ridge Tenderpup children's series. These books may be found at the author's website BlueRidgeMoments.com and Amazon.com/Author/drbillieminton