California Gold

It was during the early 80s when I struck gold in California. I saw 'fool's gold' on the banks of The American River, but my first citing of genuine California gold, the kind that is forever treasured and never spent, was discovered on the streets of San Francisco. It took a while before I recognized it as gold. A closer look and more frequent encounters were required before I saw the gold because it was enameled with much dirt and Drin. His name was Reuben, a harmless, homeless, and hungry man. My next 'find' of pure gold was a 'real mother lode' in the person of a beautiful lady named Estelle. Estelle was the shield that God provided as we sought shelter from one of life's storms. Just thinking about her draws tears of love. And then, there were the saintly trio. Ron, Ester, and her sister Peggy. This trio was my fuel in flight; my inspiration. These five human 'pearls of great price' were among the choicest, rarest, and most precious of souls. Real California gold.