A woman who was kicked out by her rich father at sixteen for taking up with a poor man ends up living on the streets with her four children after her husband died.
Steve Walton was far from thrilled when his butler told him that Pastor Morris was waiting to see him. He was tired after a long flight from Singapore and in no mood for the man’s lectures or pleas for support for the community.
He had the pastor shown in and waved an impatient hand at his greeting. “Get on with it, man!” he snapped. “What is it that you want this time?”
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“Mr. Walton, I saw Susan,” the pastor said quietly, and Steve’s heart nearly stopped. His only daughter had left his house nearly fifteen years before, never to be seen again…
“Susan?” Steve cried anxiously. “Where? When? How is she?”
“I was in Los Angeles, helping out a friend who has a mission among the homeless and that’s where I saw her,” the pastor said.
“She was a volunteer? Did you tell her I’ve been looking for her?” asked Steve.
“No,” Pastor Morris said gently. “She wasn’t a volunteer, Mr. Walton. She’s homeless. She and her children are living in a car.”
Steve found himself so dizzy he had to sit down. “Homeless? My Susan? Children?” he gasped.
“I’m afraid so,” the pastor said. “And she wouldn’t even listen to me when I told her to come home.”
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“But why?” asked Steve angrily. “She’s not with that loser anymore, is she?”
“Her husband passed away three years ago, Mr. Walton,” the pastor explained. “And she told me she wouldn’t bring her children into a house where their father is despised.”
Steve Walton felt that old familiar wave of rage sweep through him. Fifteen years later, Susan was still defying him! He remembered the scene in his study, and Susan’s steady eyes looking into his as he ranted.
“Pregnant at sixteen, and by the GARDNER!” he’d screamed. “Well, we are going to have THAT taken care of, and HE’S fired! You will never see that man again!”
“THAT is my baby, daddy,” Susan had said in a tremulous voice. “And HE is the man I love. I’m going to marry him.”
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“You marry that man and you’re on your own, Susan, do you hear?” Steve shouted furiously. “No more money, nothing! You marry him and you get out of my house!”
Susan had looked at him with tears in her eyes. “I love you, daddy,” she’d said. Then she turned around and walked away. Even though Steve had set detectives to find her, no one had been able to trace her.
“How many children?” he asked Pastor Morris.
“Four,” the pastor said. “Three girls and a boy. Beautiful children.”
Steve picked up his phone and spat out orders for his plane to be readied. “Pastor, would you come with me to Los Angeles, take me to my little girl?” he asked quietly.
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The pastor nodded, and within two hours, the two men were on board Steve’s private jet winging their way south. There was a limo waiting for them, and the pastor directed them to a parking lot outside a large mall.
At the furthest end of the lot, a pickup truck was parked, with a tent set up at the back. Pastor Morris had told Steve that when Susan’s husband died in a work accident, the insurance company had refused to pay out and the bank foreclosed on the mortgage.
Susan had piled the children and their few belongings into the old pickup. She worked at the mall as a cleaner. She and the children used the mall’s facilities and bought whatever was leftover at the restaurants at the end of the night.
Still, she had managed to keep the four children fed, clean, and in school. As the two men approached the truck, they heard cheerful voices and laughter. Then two children tumbled out of the back.
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The biggest girl, about fourteen, was laughing as she tickled a boy of about seven. The children stopped and gaped at Steve and Pastor Morris. “Mom!” the girl yelled. “That old preacher friend of yours is here!”
A well-remembered voice asked from inside the tent, “Preacher Morris?” Then Susan climbed out and Steve could see the shock in her face when she saw him standing next to the pastor.
“Daddy?” she asked, and her eyes filled with tears.
Steve was shocked. His daughter was barely thirty-one, but she looked much older. Her face was worn and lined with worry and suffering, her hands coarsened by hard work.
“Susan,” Steve cried. “Look at you! Look at what HE did to my princess! I wanted so much for you! And you married that loser! What could he give you? Poverty?”
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Susan shook her head and said, “He loved me, daddy, and he gave me 4 beautiful children. He died, and I had nowhere to go, but I’ve done what I can for my children. I will always love the father of my children, daddy, just like I’ve always loved you.”
Steve found that he had tears running down his face. “Forgive me, Susan,” he sobbed. “Please forgive me. Come home, I want you all to come home with me. Let me help you take care of the children!”
Steve found himself holding his weeping daughter and knew that everything was going to be alright. Susan introduced him to his three granddaughters, then she placed her hand on the boy’s shoulder. “And this,” she smiled, “is little Stevie!”
“You named him after me?” Steve asked, astounded. “After what I did?”
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“I love you, daddy,” she said softly. “Don’t you know that?”
That afternoon, they all flew home to Texas. It was the beginning of a better life for all of them.
What can we learn from this story?
- Love and accept your children unconditionally. Steve was furious with Susan for loving a poor man and made the biggest mistake of his life by losing his daughter.
- Don’t judge people for their wealth or influence. Steve hated his son-in-law because he was poor, but he was a loving husband to Susan and a dedicated dad.
Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.
If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a 60-year-old man who is shocked when a perfect stranger walks up to him in a restaurant and calls him a cheater.
This account is inspired by our reader’s story and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.
Owner tells dog he passed all the treats to the cats, over 200 million have watched his reply
Known as the ‘epitome of canine hilarity,’ this viral sensation has solidified its reputation with an impressive 205 million views. Dubbed ‘The Summit of Doggy Comedy’ across YouTube, this video, celebrated for its contagious laughter, has recently made a triumphant return, much to the joy of its dedicated fan base.
Within this uproarious one-minute and twenty-second gem, a dog parent indulges in a lively exchange with their furry companion, all centered around delectable treats from the meat drawer.
The comedic brilliance lies in the seamless incorporation of a voiceover by the owner, crafting the illusion that the dog is actively engaged in the conversation.
The banter begins with the owner casually mentioning the contents of the meat drawer, highlighting the tantalizing presence of maple bacon. The dog’s responses, filled with humorous “yeahs” and “okays”, create the illusion of participation.
The interplay of the owner’s robust, masculine voice and the dog’s charmingly innocent and ‘goofy’ demeanor heightens the comedic charm, beautifully complementing the canine’s adorable eyes and curious nature.
As the dialogue unfolds, a surprising twist emerges. The owner admits to having enjoyed the maple bacon himself, leaving the dog in suspense. The dog’s reactions, a blend of disappointment and disbelief, are humorously conveyed through expressive “yeah?” and “yeah?” responses, seemingly pleading for a taste of the coveted bacon.
The storyline takes an unforeseen direction when the owner confesses to indulging in other delicacies from the meat drawer, including beef and chicken smothered in cheese and cat treats. With each revelation, the dog’s hopeful anticipation transforms into audible yawns, cleverly edited to convey profound disappointment.
The impeccable comedic timing and inventive editing effectively magnify the absurdity of the scenario.
Predictably, the video swiftly catapulted to viral status, amassing a staggering 205 million views and still climbing. Viewer feedback consistently reflects the consensus that this creation stands unrivaled in the realm of online hilarity.
Remarks like: “Eternally the pinnacle of internet entertainment”, and “A source of morale for eight years straight!” underscore the enduring adoration for this canine comedic masterpiece.
It’s clear that this uproarious exchange strikes a chord with audiences on a deeply personal level, as many can envision themselves engaging in similar banter with their own beloved pets. With its timeless charm, this video seems destined to continue spreading joy well into the future.
If you’ve yet to experience the infectious laughter this gem inspires, treat yourself and hit ‘play’ on the video below. And don’t forget to share this comedic treasure with your loved ones for an instant mood lift.
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