Woman helps homeless man, cries at sight of him 14 years later
After 14 years of not seeing him, Jeanah wondered how he was doing and often wondered if he was even still alive. Little did she know their paths were about to cross once more.
We all know that a small act of kindness can go a long way for someone who needs it and we also know how good it feels to realize that you have helped another person even the slightest bit. However, most of the time we don’t get to see that person again and we often wonder what may have become of them, whether they overcame the difficulties and got to live better lives.
This story started back in 2005, when paramedic Jeanah Nomelli of California met Will Levens, a then homeless man. The first time they ever saw each other, he was digging in a dumpster, looking for recyclables and he was also a drug addict. Jeanah asked about his life and he explained that his wife had recently died unexpectedly and then, in the wake of her death, he tried heroin once and he had been addicted to it since. As a result, he had also lost his job and home in the meantime.
“[H]e shared that his wife died unexpectedly and in the wake of her death, he tried heroin- ONE TIME and became addicted. He lost his home and job as a result of his addiction.” she wrote in her Facebook post where she shared their reunion.
Jeanah decided that this was not how this man’s story should end, he didn’t deserve this. So she got a pair of boots and a jacket and offered them to him, along with $7 so that he could get his ID. She also made him promise that he wouldn’t use this money to buy drugs, but he would really go through with getting his ID.
After that, they used to see each other occasionally and share experiences and life advice. Jeanah enjoyed his company very much and he did too. But then, suddenly, one day he just disappeared and she didn’t get to see him again.
Fourteen years went by without ever seeing each other, and Jeanah couldn’t help wondering how Will had proceeded with his life if he even was alive. And then, one day they magically reunited. Levens spotted her at a local store and he waited for her “outside the bathroom with tears in his eyes.”
“He stood there with tears in his eyes and asked if I remembered him. It took me about 2 seconds and I knew!! It was my Will!!” wrote Jeanah in her Facebook post.
Then they started talking about old times, but also updating each other about their current lives. As Jeanah wrote, Will has been clean for years and he has also found a job and a new wife since. They spent some time talking and crying, before they asked a clerk to take a picture of them.
Jeanah and Will’s story is one of generosity and kindness, one of many that take place every day, but should be made public so that people know that humanity is not lost- there are still lots of good people out there ready to inspire with their kind hearts.
