Like many Americans today, I grew up having enough money to survive but not enough to do anything else. Our idea of splurging was getting pizza now and then on a Friday night. My mom worked at Carl's Jr, a fast food restaurant in a small town in California. I was grateful for the food and shelter that I always was assured by her having this job, but like any kid, I wanted things like game systems and trips to theme parks.
My mom had many regular customers, two, in particular, were Bob and Joyce Crowder, an older couple that absolutely adored my mom and how hard she worked. She would talk to them about me and they knew that she was a single mother. Customers would give her small "gifts" now and then, but this couple gave her one very big one for the both of us.
The Crowders always refused to grow up and would make annual trips to Disneyland. As you have probably already guessed, they decided to take my mom and I with them the next time they went.
The four of us piled in their car and made the drive to every kid's dream. We went on almost every ride, checked out most of the shops, and took pictures every step of the way. Space Mountain was my favorite ride and I wanted to go back about ten times, these people were older and probably tired but they went with me every time.
I don't think I appreciated at the time what a generous thing these people did for us, or what it meant to my mom to have that little vacation. These complete strangers paid for us to have a day that we will always remember. It's wonderful to know that there are people like the Crowders in the world.
