The Jacket

By I. Ron Widgren

This is a story about a little boy who started life without love and with emptiness hurting throughout his whole body. He is longing for someone to care and was met by a family who met his every need. The blessings he received from God were in turn passed on to others through his life.

"Success is not measured by what one has but rather what one has given."

Remember him--how could you ever forget him?

2

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9781639034406

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The Jacket

I. Ron Widgren

Copyright © 2021 by I. Ron Widgren

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Bonding

Never Leave Me

The Growing Years

Life Change

Remember Me

Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful)

Humans see only what is visible to the eyes,

but the Lord sees into the heart.

—1 Samuel 16:7

This is dedicated to all children who have gone through life without a father or mother, either by death or divorce, and know the pain of loneliness.

This is also dedicated to those loving people who have adopted or have taken one of these children in as one of their own.

Last but not the least, this is dedicated to the men and woman who have served this country and to the honor of those who have given their lives for freedom.

Chapter 1

Eight-year-old Steven stood by the curb and cried as his mother drove away. His mother was an abusive drug addict, and now, he had to live with his aunt. A wave of sadness mounted in his chest; his mother was all he had.

Aunt Sue had no interest in caring for him either. She was a drunk and drank all the time. Steven was left alone a lot. He lived off peanut butter, cereal, expired bread, and, once in a while, bologna. He spent his time listening to the voices of the five children who lived next door—their shouts and laughter and the firm voice of their mama sending them to bed. On Sunday mornings, the church van pulled up to the house, and they all packed into it. Mama noticed Steven watching her kids from the shadow of his doorway; he looked like trouble. His shabby clothes hung loose on his little thin frame, and his face was dirty.

What kind of life did this boy have? All through the church service, the thought of him made her uneasy. She saw the hurt in his eyes, and this bothered her to no end. When they got home, he was still there; his eyes followed them as they piled out of the van.

Mama’s oldest boy, Roosevelt, saw him and shouted to him, What’s your name?

Steven, he said.

How old are you? Roosevelt asked.

Eight—almost nine, Steven replied.

I’m ten. Want to come inside? I’m going to change clothes then we can play ball or something.

Mama bit her lip as Steven came into the house behind Roosevelt. She really didn’t want this dirty-faced, tattered white boy in her house. A sour feeling settled in her stomach, but she was a caring and loving mother,