Woman forges strong bond with panhandler

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In 1986 large trough was walking to work in New York -- passed an eleven year old boy -- And he asked her for some money to buy food -- -- has kept walking.

But then she stopped.

-- back tomorrow -- And she offered taken to McDonald's for a -- They talk a -- mom was on drugs his dad -- -- street gang Lauren knew that he needed more than just a meal that afternoon.

And for the next four years Laura and more Reese met every Monday for launch and today after 26 years.

They consider each other family -- story is told in a remarkable new book called the invisible threat would you please welcome -- trough and -- -- -- Thank.

You all night.

Will be.

This is one of the most.

Touching.

And refreshing and inspiring stories that I have read in a long time the book is fantastic.

And I thought.

If you made this off I wouldn't have believed it but it's a true story he walked by this kid just a few blocks from our studio here in New York.

And he says I'd like some change I'm hungry and you walk -- by.

You turned around why why did you turn around.

I turned around because what resonated with me with the words I'm hungry then I'd never seen an eleven year old -- before.

And so I just couldn't believe he said those words so I went back and I said to -- a -- we'll go to McDonald's.

But you know it's interesting I think that.

Our lives take us interactions and sometimes there are no accidents.

You know when I was 25 years old my mother died when she was 47.

At a very young age she was my -- And what comforted me throughout my entire adult life was the fact that she was the same -- that overlook me and watched for watched over me.

And I absolutely believe that she knew that I needed something more in my life.

And she knew that -- needed someone to care for him and she brought us together.

It's an amazing thing because you're talking about it from the standpoint of what -- -- did for you.

Even though most of us would in reading the story say wow -- what you did former race.

Had had she just given you a couple of bucks and said here -- go get something to eat.

Things would have been different wouldn't -- Definitely if she'd just give me a couple of -- -- and he can go with something to eat.

My whole life will be different.

I grew -- would have -- and drug addicts and drug dealers I live two blocks away from her and my whole environment was drug violence drugs violence.

And chaos.

And that's all I knew what when I met Laura.

My whole life changed in -- change for the better.

Did you have a hard time thinking this lady.

Is actually gonna take me to eat and she's gonna walk in Central Park which means she's gonna take me to a place and -- -- of my the first -- have ever had my wife.

I mean what we think it is eleven year old boy and in the same sweatpants that you know you war all the time because this all you had.

I thought I thought that she was a -- and I thought.

You know someone was looking over me to send me an -- And that's what.

I believe I believe the -- certainly an Angel when he -- or.

No question and I mean I think -- you know as I read the story and it's just so compelling.

Laurent did did you expect this to turn into a 26 year relationship -- at what point did you realize this is not just me taking a -- out to launch well and I never.

Could imagine that when we met that day that.

-- would not only change my life.

But I would change his life and that ultimately it would be such an incredible.

Ripple effect to the point where.

His children today we'll never know.

From drugs.

And violence.

We never could have imagined it no -- -- -- now -- you've got how many children.

Have seven -- seven children ranging from six to what.

Subcontracting business.

Yes I was small -- subcontracting business and I'm I'm I'm doing pretty well as far as life is concerned.

I just believe that love and happiness.

Is is is the most.

Pleasure you can get on -- life and and that's what I have.

I remember when Laura took me to her sister's house and this is the point that my life -- changed.

You know.

Laura always asked me what was the greatest thing about her -- house.

Well let's just had a longing that she had a backyard.

-- made everything -- -- it all types of toys and things we -- bike riding.

But the one thing that stood out to me was the team that assist the half sister had a long table and we sit down and we eat anything she had -- we'll cross that team with.

If if you've never seen that before had you and I'd never seen that before did you ever had a meal with your family your own.

Parents not on the table never and and and that the -- -- the beauty above that is.

From that point on that was the first time I ever dreamed about doing anything in life and today I have a small apartment in Manhattan.

And I don't have a -- -- when -- went -- -- There's a great story out of the book.

That was very touching and -- you ask.

If you could help and have lunch at school cause you know that was something was only meal you really got.

She wanted to have a lunch.

In -- brown.

Bag.

Explain why that mattered to you that it came in -- Brownback.

Well the reason why I believe that he came in a brown -- it matter to me is when I went to school.

-- often go to school and I see all the kids come in with the end luncheon they have brown paper bag and and for me that I knew someone cared about him and I know someone who love them.

They put that stuff they put time in May give them the -- in a brown paper bag and so Lauren asked me.

One being that she said I would give you money.

All I can make you lunch and I told him listen I really don't want your money.

But if you can put my lunch in -- brown people bag will make the world a different from me because someone -- -- know the kids would know when I come to school as someone cared about.

-- what and it's eighty when he said that.

It actually took my breath away yeah got money here and about it if it took my breath away but here I was and -- eleven year old kid.

Was teaching me things he taught me the definition of luncheon a brown paper back.

The band is only brown paper but what you planned -- way it is something we'll call -- and he knew.

That he wanted luncheon a brown paper and -- for money.

That that is just it it it is one of the most touching stories in the book.

The book it's called an invisible threat part of that -- -- the title -- -- You know it's.

It's an incredible story I love the story because about a month before.

My co author and I Alex has -- nasty who's here today as well.

We couldn't come up with a name every name I came up with he didn't like in every name I came up -- he didn't.

And I had to go to -- -- to -- birthday card I was rushing.

And I used to like to go to my local book card store.

And then next thing I knew I never bought a card and Dwayne reed I'm looking at this card and it said there's an -- saying about an invisible thread.

It connects those that are destined to meet and I opened up the -- and it said I'm so happy here in my life and happy birthday and I thought oh my god.

That is.

Exactly the relationship.

That in recent I had it's an invisible thread.

I ran upstairs I called out -- -- like I -- I've got the name it's an invisible thread.

And what's so interesting as I've received so many emails from so many people saying I have this really special relationship.

With this person.

They've never known that definition habit and basically what you've done with your book is to find my relationship.

We were meant to be in -- in -- in each other's lives.

It wasn't an invisible thread that connected house.

Yet it's speaking of birthdays.

At one of your birthday.

Maurice.

Was there to offer -- -- post it is very special we have a little take.

-- -- Yeah movies.

In my life cause I was born here.

-- -- -- So lonely night.

-- -- -- -- Party.

I -- -- by the way I said very few people are gonna make toast and so but I would love for you to make toast.

And like an hour later he made that toast but there was absolutely fantastic you ought to be the head of the post nasty humor -- go ahead arteries.

By the way a couple of things I want to mention first of all all our audience members are gonna get a copy of the book -- invisible -- Sir you that it is a book worth getting at Amazon -- bookstores it you need something to inspire you make you feel good again -- promise you this book will.

Just make you want to stand up and do something nice for people.

Which is part of what you're trying to do and is a project you're involved and I want change very quickly share with us to share our strength no -- hungry.

Part of the profits from this book will go to that project.

Office and I have to say that I'm so excited about this partnership.

And I feel enormously blessed that were able to.

Give back to an organization.

That has for over 25 years.

And trying to and childhood hunger you know this organization started by Billy shore and sister daddy.

25 years ago and what they do.

Every day is trying to supply.

Food for children at school as well as during the summer and I feel so -- we both feel so blessed that we're at a place in our lives now that we can continue to get back because you know.

But we talk about in the book all the time is how one simple gesture.

Can make an enormous difference how one act of kindness.

Can change a person's life -- are -- -- thank you god bless you for being here what a wonderful and needed story for all of us.

To have here today in this coming year thank you thank.

--

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Woman forges strong bond with panhandler

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