Homeless Man Reunites With Mother After Being Taken In By Generous Stranger

Jun 07, 2021

- It's our Dare to Love hour, shining a light on the people who have chosen to love when they could have simply walked away. That's certainly true for my next guest. When he was walking down a street in downtown Portland, Oregon, he saw a

homeless

young man who reminded him of his own son. So instead of overlooking it, he dared to love, not just helping him with a little money, but with a lot more. Meet Stacey Lag Jennings. (Audience applauds) So, tell me about your encounter with this man on the road, like what, you said he reminded you of your son, but what happened from there? -He was working downtown and I was walking to a shoe store, and I passed by this one, John, and he looked like my son.

He was about the same age as my son, he just touched my heart. So I stopped to talk to him. We talked for a while and knew where he wanted to go, what he was doing. And I gave him some money, but I felt like I needed to ask him about his mom. And I asked him, "How long has it been since you talked to your mom?" And he said, "It's been a long time." And I said, "Well, I'd really like you to do it for me." a favor, "and I would really like you to call her and tell her you're okay." And he said, "Well, I'll call her right now if I can use your phone." So I gave him my phone and he called his

mother

. -That's amazing, so how did he do it?

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homeless man reunites with mother after being taken in by generous stranger...

That is awesome. (audience applauding) It's, first of all, amazing that you didn't stop, you could have just walked, you could have just given money, you could have done so many things, but you just kept going. They went above and beyond, which is great. And worry about the

mother

, because you know the mother must be very worried if she hasn't talked to her mother in so long. So how did that call with mom go? -I realized that she was, she was really overwhelmed, very emotional. He put her on speaker and said, "My mom really wants to talk to you." And she was crying, she was confused about who I was.

So he was trying to explain to her who I was. And he asked me to give his son a hug. And John said, "Oh mom, she doesn't want to hug me, I'm dirty and I stink." And they laughed a little, he said goodbye and when he gave me my phone back, he said he. , again, "My mom really wanted you to give me a hug, but I know I'm dirty," and I know I stink and I said, 'I don't care.' -Oh, she raises it again. -She did it! So, you know, - That means she wanted it, she needed it - Of course, sure.

I gave him a hug and it was a really special hug. It was like hugging my own son. - Oh! (applause). - Wow! This is, once again, going above and beyond! , So it was a couple of weeks later that you ended up contacting his mom again? - It was, I've been thinking about her a lot, but I was nervous about calling her. Know? Don't know. Who is this person, and I don't know if she would want to know about me. - Yes - But I finally gathered my courage, really hoping he wouldn't answer the phone. And she and her husband were camping and they saw that they had missed a call from Oregon, and she said to her husband, "Oh my God, I think John called." Then she called me very quickly.

We didn't talk much because she was camping, but in that short period of time we learned a lot, a lot of parallels. Her oldest son is a detective, my youngest son is a sheriff's deputy. - That? - And her (laughs), and then there's John, who's a struggling addict. And yes, my oldest son is a struggling addict, he is in recovery, but it has been a long journey. So we had this: - So, this is the moment where I can't understand when people don't believe in something bigger than themselves. - Good? - Whatever it is. - Good? (applause) - Whatever it is for you. -Yes.-But that's...-She just gave me chills. - That's really a coincidence. - Yes. - That can't be a coincidence. - No. - Wow, tell us what happened a few weeks ago. - Kelly and I had an amazing connection and I really wanted to try to find it for her.

I felt like she needed to do more. So my husband and I drove downtown and two blocks down, there was a guy with a dog. And as soon as John got up, I knew it was him, and I just said, "John!" And I pulled out my phone, because I got so excited, so I said, "We need to get your mom on the phone again." - Which has to be cool for him, like thinking that probably no one cares, and he's in the middle of nowhere, and then you came back. - Yes. - Weeks later, that's great. -She said no one had ever done anything like that for me before. - I had never heard of anyone doing something like that... - Which made me feel good. - Yeah! (applause) It's something so special. - It was fun. - Wow! - Yes. - So you asked him to live with you, right? - He called his mom, they talked for a while, while they were on the phone, I asked my husband if I could offer to let him come home with us, and- - I mean, that's a little scary, because I don't know the person. . - I had no idea, but I knew Kelly. -Yes.-I mean, I knew his mother, Kelly. - Yes Yes. (laughs) - Now you know me too. - So I felt pretty comfortable with who he was. - Yes. - You know, at the time I wasn't nervous about it.

And he said yes. You know, a warm bed and food seemed good to him. -Yes.-Then he came. -But it's still a

stranger

's house, was he a little nervous when he got there? - It took him a while to adapt. But he was there a couple of weeks and said, "It's starting to feel really good to feel normal again." And that made me feel good, that he was... - Absolutely! (applause) Absolutely. - Yes - So John's mom, Kelly, knows you care for him, right? - Oh yeah - Do you keep in touch? - Yes, and she talked to him almost every day, while he was with us. . -So you talked to John's mom on the phone, but you never met her in person, right? - No, I never met her.

I would love to meet her one day. -She Okay, well, Stacy doesn't have to wait any longer. She doesn't know it, but John's mom, Kelly, is actually here (gasp). Out! clapping) - Come here! Oh, where are you going? Oh, well, she is (laughing). - My God! - You took the long way (women crying). I'm so happy to meet you. Oh thanks! -You took the long way (women laughing) So how does it feel for her to finally see each other in person? - My God, it's incredible. - Is incredible. - I don't have a sister, so now I call her my sister, we have a lot in common.

She has been my little guardian angel. Or John's guardian angel. And when you hear about this disease, you think it will never happen, because... - I think everyone knows someone. Unfortunately, that's how it is. - Correct. - I think everyone knows someone who suffers from addiction. - Oh, definitely. And

being

involved with your family, my husband, everyone is as involved, as you are. Everyone is so involved with their families and you think, "I'd watch that." - Yes. - Then, phew! - No, it can happen to anyone. Everyone who thinks they are above that too. It can happen to anyone. - Exactly. - Well, I'm so happy that you both found each other. - Me too! (audience applauding) - And that you two have met, how beautiful.

Before Stacy intervened, you hadn't heard from John in months, right Kelly? - No, I haven't heard from him and the days turned into weeks, the weeks turned into months. Then, ineffably I thought the worst. I just thought the worst and all I could do was pray that he was okay and hope I didn't get that terrible call. - Wow, so what was it like to pick up the phone one day and suddenly hear John? - Oh my God, well, first I have to tell you what happened. So I'm having those "I need to cry a lot" days, something I normally don't do. - Oh girl, I feel you. - Yeah? - Yeah! - And my husband just left to meet our eldest, to go out and do something.

My phone rings, not even two minutes later and it's John. The emotions were overwhelming. I say "Oh my God!" He asks her a million questions and continues. (audience applauding) Oh my John, John! And then after that, mom mode was activated. Why didn't you text me? (laughs) -And he starts using his middle name. - Exactly, and that's exactly what I did! - I mean, because all the moms would worry. That's your baby. - Exactly. - It doesn't matter how old they are. - It doesn't matter how old they are. - They will always be your baby. - They are still your baby.

And I said, what happened? Tell me the story and I said, "Well, what phone are you using then?" And then she said, "This nice lady came up to me." And I said, "Well, thank him for me." And she put me on speakerphone. And I said, "Thank you, Stacy, I really appreciate that. "I needed that!" - Oh. - So, he loved his mom. - Yeah, well, it shows. - And that's very clear. - Even you said, " Do you want to call your mom?" He said, "Yes, can I use your phone?" - Yes - Yes, that was pretty quick - Yes, so how long has it been?

Have you seen him? Not only did you talk to He, how long has it been since you saw John? - Almost two years - Oh my God, to be a mom, I can't even imagine - It's hard. - Because, you know - I mean, they grow and go. their own path, but, above all, without knowing where. - Exactly, you don't know if they are alive or healthy or what is happening - Yes. - And you miss them on vacation, - Yes - because he is a brother, he is a. man, you know. - Exactly. - Exactly. - And it's wonderful that he finds out soon. - No. (audience applauding) - And he can't wait to see his mom in. person!

Haven't seen her in a long time. Are you ready for this? Are you ready? - Yes. - Come out, Juan! (audience applauding) (Mom screaming) - How are you? - Come say hello to your mom! I'm Kelly, by the way, nice to meet you. (audience applauding) - Oh, my God. Oh my love. - Now I'm not dirty or stinky. (laughing) - I love you, darling. - John, Kelly, how does it feel to see each other again? Two years is a long time! - It's a long time. - Yeah! - Yes. - I'm blessed. Luckiest guy in the world, you know?

I've realized that no matter where I travel, you know, and no matter where I go, good hearts, they find good hearts and they will stick together, no matter what. - Wow. - You know, and then. Yes, blessed. (applauding) - So, how are you now? - I am doing it right. - You're doing it right? - I'm fine, yes. You know, just taking it for one day, you know, I've been clean and sober for a while. I'm actually living... (audience applauding) - Congratulations! (John laughing) That's hard. - Yes. Honestly, living on the streets gave me a different perspective on life.

And you know, I don't need that. But you know, you can always build and start again. - And you are doing it. - Good. - And I'm super proud of you. - Thanks for that. - I just met you and it is very brave to do this, to come here and say that. But, John, anything you want to ask your mom? I thought you might... -Well, when Kelly asks me, I feel like she's proposing to you. (laughs)-she became like a real Game of Thrones. - Okay, a little bit. She honestly asked me if she could come home for a while. - Well, of course you can. (Audience applauding) - Well, I have