My mother was a saint. As a single mom, she worked split-shifts in restaurants until her legs ached and her hands were raw. Kudos to all single parents who struggle to raise their children and provide love and basic necessities.
At the age of 16, I came home from school one afternoon to find my mom shivering on her bed. She asked me two questions: “Did you electrocute the bed?” and “Are you in the CIA?”
Even in my teenaged naivete, I knew something was terribly wrong. When the ambulance whisked her away to a mental hospital, I would not see my mother for the next 18 months. And I would not see a stable home environment until my marriage.
The ensuing weeks bounced me into and out of a marijuana-fogged house where my mom’s best friend was struggling with her own teenager who was addicted to drugs. Alone and afraid, I made the decision to get out of there.
At the low point in my life, I begged hamburger money in the streets of downtown Los Angeles. Eventually, I found an apartment in my hometown Pasadena. I worked as a bus boy in order to support myself, pay the rent, and keep attending Blair High.
We are Never Alone
Norm Morrow was my high school baseball coach, mentor and friend. He knew I was supporting myself without parental supervision. Although foster care provides many loving homes to homeless youth, I am glad Coach Morrow never reported me to Child Protective Services. Instead, he became my de facto foster parent.
Coach Morrow trusted me to show up to school every day and stay out of trouble. The more I felt his love and trust, the more I wanted to be worthy of it. I worked hard to support myself and get decent grades in school. Violating my coach’s trust was unthinkable.
When I was later introduced to the gospel while serving in the Air Force, I had an epiphany. I realized that in our loneliest moments, we are never alone.
When the bleakest circumstance wrenches our peace, we can turn to Jesus who is our Peacemaker. The prophet Isaiah declared, “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows…”(Isa. 53:4). Jesus bore all our sins and pain. He also sends angels to lift us on His broad shoulders. For me, Norm Morrow was one of those angels.
Who is a Friend to the Friendless?
I see bishops and home teachers as I saw Coach Morrow. They are friends and mentors. They shepherd our sorrows and teach us to trust.
As wonderful as these earthly mentors are, it is comforting to think of Christ as the “Shepherd and Bishop of (our) souls” (1 Pet.1:25). By drawing unto Jesus in good times and bad, we dissolve the circle of our loneliness as He encircles us with His love.
Can we, in turn, be angels and friends to the friendless?
Lighting Lonely Street
Lonely Street is loneliest in the dark, when rain fogs the dim lamplight and we’re afraid. A true friend can shine the light of Christ’s love on our darkened streets, bringing the warmth and rescue of dawn.
How often has a friend, bishop or home teacher asked, “What can I do for you or your family?” and we’ve sloughed the question with, “We’re fine, thanks.” Trust is a two-way road. When we trust our rescuers, they are in a better position to help.
Another Angel
God sent me another angel when I was 16. Charlie was the head chef at the restaurant where I worked. He knew my situation. He would give me an extra portion of dinner for the meal we earned at the end of the night shift. With that one hearty meal each day, I was able to get through high school without going hungry. God bless Charlie and all those who feed God’s sheep.
President Thomas S. Monson said, “Amidst the storms of life, danger lurks; and men, like boats, find themselves stranded and facing destruction. Who will man the lifeboats, leaving behind the comforts of home and family, and go the rescue?” (Thomas S. Monson, “To the Rescue,” Ensign, May, 2001).
God rescued me by sending two of his angels: Charlie, the chef, and Norm Morrow, my coach. I don’t know if angels really have wings, but I know they patrol Lonely Street. When the lonely are stranded on that friendless road, may our love take flight to comfort the comfortless.
A smile, a word of encouragement, a hug and a helping hand. These are not costly, but they are the priceless rays of rescue that pierce the darkest corners of Lonely Street.
