For those of you who love Walter I have a great story to share with you and for those of you who don't love Walter you're about to fall in love with a terrific young man.

Walter is 12 years old and a tiny little thing. (For more information look at the "meet Walter" blog). He is a great young man and I enjoy being with him. He always has a smile on his face that can make the darkest days bright. He is so helpful and kind, I have yet to carry a package when he is around. He loves to help the groups or work on a construction site. He is honest and dependable, I can send him to the store and he runs all the way there and back and never fails to give me my change. He is funny and quick with a joke. He has five younger siblings and helps his single mother. He is a pretty terrific kid with a really hard life.

Well even though I know Walter and how awesome he is I was totally blown away the other day.

Walter's mother Inez works for the city sweeping streets. She sweeps trash from the street all day six days a week for 10 hours a day for less than $5.00 per day. She has to pay her transportation and for someone to watch the baby who is almost a year old. We have helped this family over the last couple of years with food when Inez was not working. It is sad but now that she is working I think it is costing us more to help her as the milk for the baby is very expensive. So we help out, even if it cost a little more in the short term the pride that she feels in working to help her family is worth the extra funds.

Anyways back to Walter. He had been hanging out with Randy at a job site for a couple of days and Randy would have him do odd and end jobs, pay him a little, and just let him tag along with him when he went places. (Walter's father has been in prison for years and will not be out anytime soon). He loves to just "be" with Randy. And Randy really enjoys him too.

So the other day at about eleven or so Randy was out and about with his sidekick when he pulled into burger king.

He said he was "starving" so he ordered a combo for him and one for Walter, but they were in a hurry so they took it to go. As soon as Randy got in the car he open his bag and began to eat. Walter sat for a minute and then ask Randy if they could go by a community that was really close. Randy said "why?"

Walter answered by saying, " That is where my mom is sweeping the streets and I know that she is hungry and she works hard, so I want to give her my food."

Randy was so choked up all he could do was nod his head. Walter did not take one bite of food, not even a sip of soda and Randy knew he was hungry, and with the smells of fresh cooked food filling the truck he just set there with the bag on his lap while they drove over to his mother.

When they got there he gave her the food never saying that he hadn't eaten. He was thrilled at the smile on her face. He said good-bye that he and Randy were out "working" and had to go. He drove off with a wave and his bright smile his mother never knowing her son had just given up his food for her.

We often feed Walters body, but this day he was able to provide for someone he loved and that fed his spirit, and seeing a 12 year old boy give up not only food but a special treat for his mother really fed our spirit.

I told you you were going to love this kid.