A thank you 25 years later from a post on X.

[Jacson6]

I just had one of the most surreal and unexpected phone calls of my lifetime...

A man called the number I keep on my resume (the one I list on LinkedIn, etc.) and the conversation goes like this...

Caller: “I'm sure you have no clue who I am… but did you and your wife used to live in Fort Worth in the summer of 1992?”

Me: “Yes, though it was actually with my ex-wife. Why do you ask?”

Caller: “Back then, you gave me your name. You and your family fed me in downtown Fort Worth one afternoon.”

(We used to regularly take food to people living on the streets near the Water Gardens.)

Me: “Oh wow! I’d almost forgotten about those days.”

Caller: “I was 16 then, homeless and using drugs every day. I haven’t touched drugs in 25 years. I’m now a computer tech in New Mexico working at Best Buy.”

Then he paused and simply said:

Caller: “I just wanted to thank you. That day meant the world to me.”

We talked a little longer, and then he hung up. He had tracked me down through LinkedIn, after all these years.

To say it was surreal doesn’t even begin to cover it. Sometimes the seeds you plant decades ago come back in ways you’d never expect.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

1. Kindness generates many unknown rewards. . . . . nt

[Tesha]

2. How wonderful!

That he took the time to thank you and let you know that you made a difference

[malaise]

3. This will be the most beautiful post I read all day

Get thee to the greatest page - and thank you

[berniesandersmittens]

4. Humans can be amazing, thoughtful creatures

Thank you for sharing this as a reminder.

[a kennedy]

5. Wow.....and any small act of kindness can change the course of someone's life. Who knew.

[Hey Joe]

6. That is so cool to hear!

Love stories like this.
May I also say to you, thank you, for sharing this story and for helping others in need.

[niyad]

7. Damned onions!!!

[chowder66]

12. Got me too!

[Nigrum Cattus]

8. Karma works

Just think - tsf will never get a call like that.

[3catwoman3]

9. Wow! This call must mean the world to you.

This makes me think of the story of the little girl who returns a single star fish to the ocean.

[3catwoman3]

10. Are you on cordial terms with your ex-wife? If so, I'm sure she would appreciate knowing this story.

(Not trying to be nosy.)

[patphil]

11. That's one of those things that renews my faith in humanity.

[mgardener]

13. Thank you

For doing what you did.
You and your ex wife are incredible people.

[AllaN01Bear]

14. eggscllent.

[JMCKUSICK]

15. That's such a wonderful story Jacson6

thank you for sharing. Goes to show, your good deeds really really matter!

[Ziggysmom]

16. You likely saved a life all those years ago. Everyday heroes like you will save the world.

“At the end of the day people won't remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.”

― Maya Angelou

[cate94]

17. Wow!

It is wonderful that you gave out food. And it shows that an act of kindness can mean so much to the person on the receiving end. Thank you for posting this. It is so nice to hear something so upbeat!

[Ilsa]

18. You and your ex were repairing the world. And I bet

this 41 year old is paying it forward. Thankk you!

[70sEraVet]

19. No mitzvah is a small thing.

And you added yet another one! Your post gladdened a lot of hearts, and reinforced our faith in mankind.

[littlemissmartypants]

20. ❤️

[electric_blue68]

21. What a Wonderful story! You and your then wife's kindness in feeding people...

Last edited Tue Sep 2, 2025, 06:14 PM - Edit history (1)

This particular person; you helped him keep going. He was able to get clear of drugs, and build a good life for himself.

And then he still having your name finds you after 25 years(!) to thank you, and let you kmow how things worked out!
A priceless moment!

You never know just what an act of kindness might generate beyond the moment....

And now posters say; sharing this story with DU'rs *brings✨️ light* to their/our spirits. TY for this gift!

I think I'll call it - "The Ft Worth Linked In Miracle". Short hand as a quick reminder of goodness in the world.

[JoseBalow]

22. "from a post on X" - So not you, right?

Do you have the link to the original post this is copied this from?

[Jacson6]

23. No I don't. I just copy & pasted it. n/t

[sl8]

25. I was wondering who the author was, too.

Last edited Wed Sep 3, 2025, 06:13 AM - Edit history (1)

Other than this DU thread, all I'm turning up is this post on LinkedIn, from someone named Vern Six:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/vernsix_i-just-had-one-of-the-most-surreal-and-unexpected-activity-7368318859939901440-bILt

[Clouds Passing]

24. Proud of both of you! You helped a young man save his life!

[Blue Owl]

26. Somewhere a butterfly flaps her wings....

[calimary]

27. I just LOVE happy endings!

What a beautiful story! Thanks for sharing it with us, Jacson6!!!

[elleng]

28. :hug:

[Nasruddin]

29. Heroic

And you probably had no such idea at the time

[C Moon]

30. Amazing!

[NNadir]

31. "No human being is merely a self, each is also the singular, completely independent, and in every way essential point...

...at which views of the universe intersect, as such just once, never to be repeated."

From Hesse's Demian, the translation is mine.

You were that essential point for his view of the universe and in your view of the universe. That such points are not forgotten, that they come back many years later, is transcendent somehow.

It is rare for such decency to have a reward such as this; remember it always. Congratulations on being who you are and for him for being who he is.