Saturday, November 30, 2013

Joel Hartman's Thanksgiving

Did you hear this great story about the homeless man in Atlanta? Living on the streets he had discovered a woman's wallet when he had been looking through garbage for food.  Seeing that it belonged to a woman from France, he went to several nearby hotels to see if he could locate the owner. The Omni Hotel showed a photo of the man from their video cameras and asked if someone  could identify him since they wanted to thank him for returning the wallet to their guest.  The man was identified as Joel Hartman and he was brought in and the hotel manager gave him a room through the Thanksgiving weekend along with $500.00.  After this was broadcast on the news, other people gave him more money and several job offers.

But guess what? That is not even the BEST part of the story!  His family saw him on the news and they flew into Atlanta on Thanksgiving Day to see him!  I have the video from WSBTV for you...here.  His step-mother said that they had been looking for him for ten years. It appears that he will be going back to Indiana with them. You might have already heard of this story and it is a good one, but the happy ending with the hugs from his family is my favorite part! Joel Hartman, I wish the very best for you.  Please, leave your well wishes for him here, he just might see them one day!

Thanksgiving, indeed!  God bless you, Joel Hartman, I wish the very best of luck to you!


Skies might not always be blue, but always look on the bright side of life!

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32 comments:

  1. Rachel LucasNovember 30, 2013 at 12:39 PM

    What a wonderful story! The true meaning of Thanksgiving, for sure. There ARE plenty of good people still in the world! Hoping you and yours had a great celebration! Xx

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    1. Kay G.December 3, 2013 at 5:26 PM

      Rachel,
      I am very thankful for seeing your comment here! There certainly are plenty of good people in the world and you are one of them! Wishing you peace. xx

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  2. LibrarianNovember 30, 2013 at 12:56 PM

    That is the stuff hollywood movies and books are made of, and people would read or watch them and think "ah well, it's just a movie, something like that doesn't happen in real life." I do hope for the man and his family that they will stay together and he'll be able to turn his life around.

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    1. Kay G.December 3, 2013 at 5:29 PM

      Oh, I know, I do too! I have such great hopes for him! When I saw this story, I was glad that he had a room for Thanksgiving, but I wanted more, I wanted someone around him who cared for him! And I got my wish! Love my true stories, but I like the ones with happy endings the very best! ;-)

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  3. Donna@Gardens Eye ViewNovember 30, 2013 at 3:27 PM

    Oh what a beautiful story...so glad you shared it here...wishing Joel much happiness!!

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    1. Kay G.December 3, 2013 at 5:32 PM

      Thanks, Donna! I loved this story and since it happened just here in Atlanta, I wanted to tell the whole world! xx

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  4. messymimiNovember 30, 2013 at 6:03 PM

    A lovely story, full of joy, as this season should be. Thank you, i'd heard the first part of the story, but not the rest.

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    1. Kay G.December 3, 2013 at 5:33 PM

      Good, I am glad that I was able to give you the happy ending with the hugs!

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  5. blueskyscotlandNovember 30, 2013 at 7:01 PM

    Watched a documentary over here last year about homeless people and was struck by how many of them were not drunks or drug addicts but just decent people down on their luck. It's something most folk, myself included, tend to forget when you see them wandering along the street as it's only the violent ones that usually makes the headlines. Hope it has a happy ending.

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    1. Kay G.December 3, 2013 at 5:36 PM

      For this one man, it seems as if he had almost given up on life. I also wish the best for him.

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  6. Fundy BlueDecember 1, 2013 at 12:12 AM

    This is a lovely post, Kay! Hugs have to be one of the most wonderful things in this life. I hope that Joel's future is filled with love. And I hope that you had a great Thanksgiving too!

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    1. Kay G.December 3, 2013 at 5:38 PM

      Thanks, Louise! Our thanksgiving was GREAT!, I hope yours was too! xx

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  7. KayDecember 1, 2013 at 12:46 AM

    What a beautiful, perfect post for this day, Kay! It made me feel so good and reaffirmed my faith in the goodness of people. Thank you for sharing this!

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    1. Kay G.December 3, 2013 at 5:39 PM

      Kay, we have more in common than just having the same name, you really do look at life very much the way that I do!! Thanks for your comment!!

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  8. AnonymousDecember 1, 2013 at 8:22 AM

    What a wonderful story. I hope he does well with his family.

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    1. Kay G.December 3, 2013 at 5:41 PM

      I love this story! I wish the very best for Mr. Hartman and hope that he knows how many people are pulling for him!

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  9. SylviaDecember 1, 2013 at 9:07 AM

    Yes, I did hear this story on WSB-tv, and it was a great "Giving" Thanks day for all involved.

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    1. Kay G.December 3, 2013 at 5:42 PM

      I read that this story was even reported around the world! We need more good news these days!

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  10. Debra She Who SeeksDecember 1, 2013 at 10:57 AM

    I wish him the happiest of all happy endings!

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  11. JulieDecember 1, 2013 at 4:26 PM

    What a lovely story and all stemming from his own act of kindness. Thank you for sharing. x

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  12. AdullamiteDecember 1, 2013 at 4:51 PM

    A good story! Lovely!

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  13. Mrs. MicawberDecember 1, 2013 at 7:45 PM

    Such a beautiful thing to happen. Bless him, and I hope his life gets only better from now on. Thanks for sharing. :)

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    1. Kay G.December 3, 2013 at 5:46 PM

      Beautiful blessings to him and to his family.
      Thanks, Sue and I wish the same for you!

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  14. Beatrice P. BoydDecember 1, 2013 at 9:44 PM

    I had read about the wallet being found and returned and the offer of a hotel room, but did not know about the reunion. It is a great story with a wonderful result on a special day.

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    1. Kay G.December 3, 2013 at 5:47 PM

      Great story on a special day! Yes, that is it exactly!

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  15. Thickethouse.wordpressDecember 2, 2013 at 8:34 AM

    A story that gives a lot of hope. It's wonderful that his family is there for him. I hope that he continues to heal from the suffering that put him in this position.

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    1. Kay G.December 3, 2013 at 5:48 PM

      Very well put, and where are you when I am searching for just the right words? ;-)

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  16. AnonymousDecember 3, 2013 at 12:16 PM

    A Beautiful story, I wish him all the best.

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    1. Kay G.December 3, 2013 at 5:50 PM

      Thank you, Elle Gallatin!
      And I see that you are a new follower! Thank you so much! You have made my day! :-)

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  17. SusieDecember 3, 2013 at 1:59 PM

    Kay, I wish that man the best...hope whatever kept him on the streets releases it's grip. xoxo,Susie

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    1. Kay G.December 3, 2013 at 5:51 PM

      Just so, I hope he is able to come to terms with his new life and move on with the quiet confidence that he is loved. xx

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