Halbert T

What started as a job offer in the medical examiner/coroner's office turned into a life changing event for a single mother of four children.

Dr. T. was a leading national pathologist who worked on many notorious forensic cases with the likes of Henry Lu and Michael Boden. But what he was most was a very compassionate human being. The father of three children, one who had a severe disability, and one whom he adopted after meeting him sitting on a curb one day outside a store. This was just one of the many acts of compassion I had come to learn.

Dr. T. knew that I was going through a difficult time, as were my four children. The part-time job he offered to supplement my income turned into funding for tuition for me to complete my education, sneakers for my kids when there was no extra money, food for the holidays, a Christmas tree that showed up on my front porch and air conditioners during the sweltering summer heat. Just to name a few.

I remember hearing him say 'someday you will have all the education you need to make a difference' I wish he were here today to show him how right he was.

Because of his belief in me, I have been able to turn his generosity into actions by working with community projects for both child abuse and domestic violence.

What I have come to learn since his passing is that his generosity was far more reaching than just this single mom, but rather over dozens of individuals whom he'd come into contact with.

Thank you Hal! You are why I am here today. Thank you for helping me heal and grow.

Submitted by Anonymous

Reaching Out