Back in ‘94 I was a troubled teen…lost in my way and on the streets of Frisco. I was at the Greyhound Bus Station waiting for my bus ride to Ohio, which was set to depart in 5 or so days. Needless to say, a bench in the terminal would be my “bed” and the terminal my “home” for that time. 

As I sat there watching life and thinking about what I was going to do for the next 5 days…An “Angel” appeared in the escalator and began to approach me. (Being 15 yrs old and on the streets at the time, I was very skeptical and cautious of people.) This “angel” was Emerson. A little Asian man with a smile as big as could be and a heart he visibly carried on his sleeve. Emerson offered me a place to stay and fed me for the next few days. I rode on his bus during his shift to get to know him; he insisted I do this first to feel comfortable and if I wasn’t, he would take me back to the station. By the end of the ride I had a new friend. Emerson told me all the various jobs and things he did. At first I though he was “full of it”…until I was sitting in Giants Stadium. He said he was a skateboarder…then he shown me his skateboard collection. Took me to Chinatown to eat…to this day is was the best Chinese I’ve eaten. Duck Lo Mein, in a little restaurant with a few booths. 

Although my time with Emerson was short, I never forgot him. Very few people have made an everlasting impression on me in my life…he did. I only wish life would have let us cross paths again. I blame myself. I have thought about him frequently over the years and always wanted to thank him for what he did for me. I can honestly say, he shown me what a good person really is. 

Emerson, I’m so sorry I never reached out and when I felt it was time for me to do so; you left this world and continued on to the next. You made an impression on me that will last the rest of my life. Rest easy friend…I love you “Animal”! Always have, always will.