Growing up I was told and believed that I was a princess; a princess who should have all that life had to offer. Being a Princess is very demanding, especially on a father

Many times in exasperation my father would promise to take my brother and me to see the "real world" -- the dump to "slug rats"! My father grew up in Hell's Kitchen, an area of New York City, where he worked very hard to get out of and he promised himself that his family would never live as he had lived as a young child. I suppose this is where I learned my work ethics. He'd tell me, "Teri, always give everything you do your best and then another 10 percent, and you'll do all right for yourself!" Being homeless is my greatest "fear". Knowing I have a roof over my head and all the comforts I've been accustomed to having are part of what makes me, Teri

My father never did take us to the dump to slug rats, yet I always wondered what he was talking about. Shortly after my divorce I decided to find a new friend, one who lived on the streets! There were many reasons I stepped out there that day, perhaps it was to face my own fear, to know that if I were there, that maybe someone would help me, to experience being homeless from the edge or was it my original thoughts, to help someone get off the streets? In all my arrogance, I truly believed that I was going to make a difference in the life of a person living on the street. My life was soon to change

Roy Purser, a man who had lived on the streets of Dallas for a little more than a year and a half was about to take me into a realm of learning what true Love was all about. A Love that was not built on where I lived, what I had to offer, but simply who I am, the Teri beneath the shell. Roy was going to teach me to look at myself through understanding him

It was an extremely warm day that May third when I approached Roy who was panning for a buck on the corner of Central Expressway and Walnut Hill. I approached him to talk; he quickly guided me into the shade under the bridge. It was hot that day and he cared enough to keep me out of the sun. We exchanged a few thoughts verbally and both looked deep into the others eyes. Roy has the same soft blue eyes that my father has??¦. Filled with pain of his past; his Love buried deep within

Several days later I picked Roy up at his corner and brought him to my home. He showered, I washed his clothes fixed something for him to eat and then we talked??¦. And talked! Together we came up with a game plan to help Roy make changes in his life; little did I know that it would be my mindset that would change through our friendship

I??™ve always believed that we build self worth when we contribute by doing for ourselves. Roy shared his work experience in the home remodeling business. I was trying to sell my house and it needed some repair work, we decided it was a natural fit. Roy was focused measuring baseboard spaces, going through the tools I had, deciding what we needed to purchase and speculating the time it would take him to accomplish each task. I knew at that moment I had made a good decision; he was beginning to see his own value. We decided Roy would make repairs in exchange for twenty dollars a day, clean clothes, and a bite to eat. Although the sum of money was small, Roy understood that was all I had to offer and he was delighted for the opportunity to work at his own pace

Roy came on the days he wanted to come, when he wanted to come. We didn??™t have rules, time cards, expectations; he had the freedom to "be"! Instinctively I must have known this, later Roy shared with me that is one of the "fears", having to live up to society??™s expectations. A business can??™t afford the luxury of having it??™s employees come to work as they please, but this wasn??™t a business, it was an attempt to give another human his dignity back at the rate he wanted it. Roy quickly grew to trust and to appreciate me; he showed this in many ways

I adore flowers, when I taught little angels they always delighted in finding flowers on the playground to bring to me. The little girls Loved to put them in my hair, they??™d proudly tell their friends, "Mrs. Wilber has the flowers I gave her in her hair." Children delight in the purest and most basic gifts of joy. Roy had that same pure and child like look about him every day he came to my door with a bouquet of freshly picked flowers

Roy had a habit of walking slow, enjoying and appreciating nature. He would stop and pick flowers (shhhhh??¦ from my neighbors garden) on his walk from the bus stop to my house. Marigolds, crepe myrtle blossoms, periwinkles, anything that caught his eye became a bouquet of flowers. I so looked forward to the gift of Love Roy so proudly brought to me. The last time Roy brought flowers to me he had taken extra pains in making the bouquet special. From behind Roy??™s back he proudly handed me a bouquet of flowers wrapped in tattered paper and ribbon. I didn??™t realize the significance of this when he handed me the flowers yet I certainly did after.

Roy had found a floral shop??™s garbage bin. He dug through looking for paper and ribbon to give the flowers he so carefully picked that "special touch" of Love! The time, thought and Love that went into this gift of Love still tugs at my heart today

There are enough "Roy Stories" to fill a book, stories of Love, understanding, and compassion. The last time I saw Roy was when I took him to the hospital, his liver was failing him. Roy died soon after I left Dallas.  Roy called me Sunshine, together or apart we carry each other in our hearts.

 Teri Wilber
Missyt6597 @ aol.com

I live in Texas, single and dancing!! I have the 2 most wonderful sons, R. B and Michael ... they are grown and independent, I am so proud of them! They are the BEST! My parent??™s Joan & George Reid have taught me to work hard and to always be the very best I could be! Thanks Mom & Dad! = )

Life is like a dance, feeling and moving to the music. Each experience creates another movement. It is our own perception that makes life worth dancing another dance; just as it makes Loving worth one more chance. I believe that is why we are here... to share our Love, and to enhance the lives of others.

I Love to dance... walks on the beach, watching the sun kiss the ocean... sitting in the stillness of the dark basking with the glory of a full moon and twinkling stars! Walks in the gentle rain...actually feeling life and all that life has to offer!

People of all ages are my real passion; learning from and sharing with all I come in contact with. Many say that true friends can be counted on one hand... I believe that each person who touches our lives is a friend if only for that moment. I tend to carry people in my heart forever. For me Loving is the main ingredient in life! Hearts With Soul is a result of my passion for people.