I used the Mike Harris campground off of Hwy 33 to make a u-turn today. A flood of memories came rushing in as I recalled our valleys own transient homeless couple. I used to know their names, but it’s been a few years since they’ve been here and names are a real issue lately.
They were great! They came into the valley during the summer from down south somewhere, used the local services, and camped out at Mike Harris. They were in their fifties, the girl was sweet with an innocent voice and her partner was just a cool old dude. They always stank really bad, but what the hell.
One of the last times I saw them they were leaving the food bank in Driggs with a supply of food. They had just come back into town and told a story of walking many miles without a ride and they were starving. I took them to Broulims, gave the girl some money to get whatever else they needed, and then drove them to Mike Harris.
The very last time I saw them they were hitching out of the valley down to warmer places. The girl came up to me with big wide eyes and said, with the utmost sincerity, are you my guardian angel? I felt love for her at that moment and as one who has a guardian angel I could only smile and tell her the truth that, unfortunately, I was not…
And yes, they encountered bears out there, surviving without weapons or spray!
At that moment, perhaps you were her guardian angel.
In a small sense yes but my assumption is that you have to be on the other side to be a real one.
I love the way you make a difference in so many lives.
I’m lucky to be able to do so.