Episode 54- Kirby

Summary

The Collage Podcast: Episode 54 – Kirby

Host: Feed My Sheep
Release Date: November 27, 2024
Location: Temple, Texas
Guests: Kirby, Bobby

Produced by Feed My Sheep in Temple, TX, The Collage Podcast shares the diverse stories and experiences of individuals within the community, highlighting our shared humanity.

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1. Introduction and Welcome

Timestamp: [00:00 - 01:15]

Jeff, the host, warmly welcomes listeners to Episode 54, introducing Kirby as today's guest alongside their friend Bobby. The episode is recorded at Feed My Sheep in Temple, Texas, setting a friendly and inviting tone for the conversation.

2. Early Life and Upbringing

Timestamp: [01:15 - 03:20]

Kirby shares his roots, highlighting his upbringing on a 500-acre ranch at Little River Academy. Raised by a professional steer roper father, Kirby developed skills in farming, ranching, and horse breaking.

Kirby [03:20]: "Born and raised... on a ranch. 500 acres. And my dad was a professional calf roper. Steer roper."

3. Athletic Pursuits and Education

Timestamp: [05:00 - 06:17]

During high school, Kirby excelled in football and track, achieving all-state honors as both a defensive and offensive lineman.

Kirby [05:00]: "Played football. Did you really? Yes, Football, track, all state."

4. Truck Driving Career

Timestamp: [06:17 - 09:35]

Straight out of high school, Kirby embarked on a 35-year career in truck driving, specializing in long-haul and heavy haul transportation. He obtained a Class A CDL after training at Abilene Truck Driving School and drove across the country, appreciating different landscapes and cultures.

Jeff [07:02]: "35 years you drove. Enjoyed it, I'm guessing."

Kirby [07:32]: "The most parts of Illinois... nice and green. Very nice country farms."

5. Family Tragedies and Homelessness

Timestamp: [12:12 - 13:00]

Kirby's life took a tragic turn with the passing of two brothers and both parents between 1997 and 1998. These losses, coupled with familial disagreements, led to his current state of homelessness, despite having a sister and brother still alive.

Kirby [12:24]: "Both parents passed around 97 and 98. And then two of my brothers have passed."

6. The Car Accident and Its Aftermath

Timestamp: [13:00 - 19:00]

Three years prior, Kirby was involved in a severe car accident in Dallas, Texas, which left him injured and struggling to recover. Subsequently, he became homeless, relying on the support of Feed My Sheep and facing challenges with insurance companies and legal battles.

Kirby [15:04]: "An accident in Dallas... hit me from behind in my car while driving for Uber."

Jeff [16:40]: "35 years without an accident. And did you home base out of here?"

7. Life on the Streets: Struggles and Survival

Timestamp: [19:00 - 36:20]

Kirby delves into the harsh realities of homelessness, including exposure to extreme weather, vulnerability to violence, and societal stigmatization. He discusses the emotional and physical toll of living without stable housing and the constant fear for personal safety.

Kirby [27:24]: "It's so tough that you got to watch your life."

Jeff [28:00]: "You get 24 days in jail, and that costs..."

8. Community Support and Personal Resilience

Timestamp: [36:20 - 54:13]

Despite his hardships, Kirby emphasizes the importance of community support systems like Feed My Sheep and programs like MHMR, which provide mental health assistance and shelter. He reflects on the stigma faced by the homeless and advocates for compassion and understanding.

Kirby [43:26]: "They talk to you and try to help you get right back on track."

Jeff [53:10]: "You matter, because the truth is, God said it."

9. Personal Reflections and Hope for the Future

Timestamp: [54:12 - End]

In the concluding segments, Jeff and Kirby discuss the significance of recognizing individual worth and the collective responsibility to support one another. Kirby shares his desire to reunite with his family and his hope for a better future, underscoring the podcast's message of shared humanity and resilience.

Jeff [53:50]: "You enact that truth... you matter, because the truth is, God said it."

Kirby [45:35]: "Great grandfather."

Jeff [53:58]: "You matter, because the truth is, God said it."

---

Key Takeaways

• Resilience in Adversity: Kirby's story is a testament to enduring personal tragedy and the struggle to regain stability after catastrophic loss.

• The Harsh Realities of Homelessness: The episode sheds light on the daily dangers and societal challenges faced by individuals without stable housing.

• Community Support is Crucial: Initiatives like Feed My Sheep play a vital role in providing shelter, support, and hope to those in need.

• The Importance of Compassion: The conversation emphasizes understanding and kindness towards the homeless, breaking down stereotypes and fostering a sense of community.

Notable Quotes

• On Overcoming Hardships:

  Jeff [25:35]: "And so I got a finish line, I got across. And I'm still in the race."

• On Personal Worth:

  Jeff [53:58]: "You matter, because the truth is, God said it."

• On Community and Support:

  Kirby [43:26]: "They talk to you and try to help you get right back on track."

---

Conclusion

Episode 54 of The Collage Podcast offers an intimate look into Kirby’s life, illuminating the struggles and resilience of someone facing homelessness due to unforeseen tragedies. Through heartfelt dialogue and shared experiences, the episode underscores the importance of community support, personal strength, and unwavering hope. Kirby's journey serves as a powerful reminder of our shared humanity and the impact of compassion in overcoming life's most challenging moments.

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For more stories and to support initiatives like Feed My Sheep, visit redcordmedia.org.

Transcript

[Jeff]

Welcome to the Collage podcast and thank you for making us a part of your day. If you enjoy the podcast, please, like rate and subscribe. Hey, we want to welcome everybody to another edition of the Collage podcast and we are excited today.

[Kirby]

Hey.

[Jeff]

Well, it's a beautiful day outside here in Temple, Texas. It is supposed to be in November, which is supposed to be kind of cool, but it's really nice and warm, which not the bestest deal, but it's a beautiful day. And even better than that, we have our friend up here who's going to talk to us. We have Bobby, who's always up here with us, and we also have Kirby.

[Kirby]

Hello. How you doing?

[Jeff]

Hey, what's up, Kirby? Okay, so we got Kirby up here, and we're just going to kind of get to meet Kirby a little bit. We know him up here, but a lot of y'all out there don't know Kirby as well as we do. So this is going to be Kirby. Just kind of tell him a little bit about himself. Again, we are in a little place called Temple, Texas, is where we're at, and at a place location called Feed My Sheep.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

And then that's the place that we are recording this out of. So nothing more of that. That just kind of tells everybody where we are. So, Kirby, here we go. This is how hard the questions are. This is going to be a tough one. So you're ready?

[Kirby]

Ready?

[Jeff]

Who? Listen, I'd be nervous on this one. Ready? Tell us a little bit about Kirby.

[Kirby]

Well, I came to feed my sheep, and I'm very thankful for feeding my sheep. And I came here because I had a car accident two years ago.

[Jeff]

Okay.

[Kirby]

And I been homeless since. And I'm just trying to get back on my feet and try to get this car accident behind me.

[Jeff]

Okay.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jeff]

So what we'll do. How about this, Kirby, don't let me forget. We're going to come back to the car accident.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jeff]

Okay. Because I want to hear more about that. Because you have CDL.

[Kirby]

Yes, I have CDL.

[Jeff]

Okay. So out there. So the letter CDL means you drove trucks.

[Kirby]

35 years.

[Jeff]

35 years. Kirby was on the interstate driving trucks. I knew that. Cdl, Class A.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

Y. I'm gonna tell you a little tidbit. Okay. You're gonna be proud of me, Kirby. So I have a cdl, the class B. Wow. Driving buses.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

Didn't want it, but they where I worked with the boys in the Ralph Wilson Youth Club here to drive the kids around.

[Kirby]

Yes, sir.

[Jeff]

I needed to have that That's a booger bear. That test is not easy to pass. I didn't do the class A. That's even harder.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

I don't think I could back up one of the trucks. That's a whole other deal. Okay, so the bus was enough of it. And to do that, now they do it. You got to walk around and identify all these things on the.

[Kirby]

Oh, yeah.

[Jeff]

Oh, I hated it. Somehow I passed. Might have failed at the test once or twice. Possibly. But that's a whole other discussion, so. Okay, Kirby, let's backtrack even further. Okay, so here we do understand this chapter a little bit. No, I don't. But we got this. How we're here. Tell me, where were you born?

[Kirby]

Kirby? Yes. I was born out in Little River Academy.

[Jeff]

Whoa. I didn't know that. Okay.

[Kirby]

Born and raised.

[Jeff]

And once you're a country boy.

[Kirby]

Yes, country boy.

[Jeff]

Yeah. Oh, man. Okay.

[Kirby]

Raised on a ranch.

[Jeff]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

Yeah. 500 acres.

[Jeff]

Nice. Yes.

[Kirby]

And my dad was a professional calf roper. Steer roper. Yeah.

[Jeff]

Really? So a big guy like you.

[Kirby]

Yes, big guy like me.

[Jeff]

Okay.

[Kirby]

Professional. He's won five years professional. Back in the 70s. Yes.

[Jeff]

Okay.

[Kirby]

And then I learned everything from him.

[Jeff]

Okay.

[Kirby]

I'm farming ranching, breaking horses. Really? I do all of that. Yes, sir.

[Jeff]

Okay, you want to hear something embarrassing? Okay. I'm going to. I'm going to admit this to you, Kirby, and you can hold this over my head. I am scared of horses and I've never ridden one in my life.

[Kirby]

Oh, wow. That's.

[Jeff]

Isn't that crazy?

[Kirby]

Like.

[Jeff]

And I'm. I'm out in the country, mess with cows. I do all of that stuff. I don't like horses. I owned a horse once in my life because when I went to college.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

I went to A and M. I lived out on Little Farm. And I will admit this, okay. To come clean with you. And then we're going to keep going on.

[Kirby]

Okay.

[Jeff]

Is me and my college roommate, we went and bought a horse because we thought it was a great way to meet ladies.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jeff]

Because. Yeah. You could come out to my place, we go ride horses. We just had this little detail. Neither one of us knew how to ride a horse or to take care of a horse. That little detail never crossed our mind. But that's a whole other discussion. So Little River Academy grew up there out in the country working that working ranch type deal.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jeff]

And went to school in Little River Academy.

[Kirby]

Yes. Played football.

[Jeff]

Did you really?

[Kirby]

Yeah, Football, track, all state.

[Jeff]

What?

[Kirby]

Defensive and offensive lineman.

[Jeff]

What? What year would you have finished at Academy.

[Kirby]

I'm 86.

[Jeff]

Oh, you're old. I'm 88. Okay, so 86. Because. And you were in high school. Big guy like you are. Because Kirby, if you out there in the audience. Kirby's big.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

Like, I mean like when he said his dad was a steer and a calf roper. He looks like it. I mean, because those guys are. They're big. Like they're thick. Kirby's big guy.

[Kirby]

Yes. And the thing about it here, feed my sheep is I like, I like the people. The people, especially me.

[Jeff]

Right?

[Kirby]

Yes. Nah, the community. The community. Yeah. It's community really treated me good.

[Jeff]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

And I, I have, I have no, no types of qualms about saying that. Thank you, female sheep.

[Jeff]

No. Agree. And then Kirby is, is one of our friends. Like, but like Kirby is always up here. So. And we'll move forward. Okay. So out at Academy, Little River GR and finish 86 would have been your class. Okay. 86 all state and football. And then you started driving trucks straight out of high school.

[Kirby]

Well, I started working at McLean's.

[Jeff]

Okay.

[Kirby]

As soon as I got out of high school.

[Jeff]

Okay. Yeah.

[Kirby]

And when I turned 21, I started. Started driving a truck.

[Jeff]

Oh yeah. Because 21 you got to be to get your. Your class a cdo. Correct. Okay, that makes sense.

[Kirby]

Went to, went to Abilene truck driving school. Action career training.

[Jeff]

Okay.

[Kirby]

Over there.

[Jeff]

And then you were what type of truck driver? Like long. What do they call it?

[Kirby]

Over the road and long haul.

[Jeff]

And that means you go all over the country.

[Kirby]

All over the country. Heavy haul. I've done it. I've done it all.

[Jeff]

What does heavy hall mean?

[Kirby]

Like machinery. Like the big stuff. Yes, the big stuff. Front end loaders.

[Jeff]

Okay.

[Kirby]

Cravers. It's done. Done at all.

[Jeff]

And you did that for again, 35 years.

[Kirby]

Yes, sir.

[Jeff]

Okay, so 35 years you drove. Enjoyed it, I'm guessing.

[Kirby]

Enjoyed it.

[Jeff]

Just all over the country.

[Kirby]

Just traveling in all different types of people, places and things.

[Jeff]

Okay. So I got to ask you.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

Out of all. And obviously everybody out there truck driving, you would have to stay in the United States. So like of all the places you have traveled to, which one would you say that was? My favorite place.

[Kirby]

And why some parts of Illinois.

[Jeff]

Tell me about that.

[Kirby]

Yeah, nice and green. Very nice country to form in.

[Jeff]

Oh yeah, it is.

[Kirby]

Yes. Kentucky right there.

[Jeff]

I've heard Kentucky has got beautiful colors.

[Kirby]

Green, beautiful, beautiful farms.

[Jeff]

Yeah, that's what I hear. Very different looking than our farms, but beautiful grass and good looking farm country.

[Kirby]

Then all the way down into Tennessee.

[Jeff]

Tennessee is beautiful. The rolling hills. I wouldn't want to drive a truck in Tennessee because the roads are pretty windy. Yeah. They go up and down. But beautiful.

[Kirby]

Beautiful.

[Jeff]

So here's a little tidbit, Kirby, that no, around here, they don't know. My daughter right now lives in Tennessee and Chattanooga, Tennessee. So that's 40, I think. I40 travels through Chattanooga.

[Kirby]

40 and 81.

[Jeff]

Yeah. I40 and 81.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jeff]

Beautiful country.

[Kirby]

I75.

[Jeff]

75.

[Kirby]

75 North. Yeah.

[Jeff]

Okay. Look at you.

[Kirby]

Yeah. Right.

[Jeff]

Okay. So of those. And. And I like that because still your background growing up in academy farms and you just. Man, that'd be. You could grow a lot in that country.

[Kirby]

Yes. Grow a lot in this country. And a lot of different peoples. Whenever I came into town, that's when different nationalities people.

[Jeff]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

You know, because I was always, you know, out in the country. So meeting different nationalities of people is very rare for me.

[Jeff]

Agreed.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jeff]

So people from like around here, no offense to people from academy. It's a little video. Little video place. And a lot of people from Academy don't meet many other people from outside academy.

[Kirby]

Right, right.

[Jeff]

I mean, they just know academy.

[Kirby]

Yes. Yeah.

[Jeff]

So that's really cool. You went all over and met all kind of different people and drove for 35 years without an accident. Huh?

[Kirby]

Without an accident.

[Jeff]

Without an accident. Okay. 35 years without an accident. And did you home base out of here? This area?

[Kirby]

Mainly here. Here in North Dakota.

[Jeff]

Here in North Dakota? Yeah, here, like in this area and North Dakota, you know, so just, you know, that little tidbit. Tell me about North Dakota. I'm going to like, I've never been there. What's it like up there?

[Kirby]

Well, I had lived there for two years.

[Jeff]

Did you really?

[Kirby]

Yeah, in 2020.

[Jeff]

Made it through a winner up there.

[Kirby]

Two winners. And I was driving for a flatbed company. What? Yes. I'd haul potatoes back and forth from.

[Jeff]

Texas on a flatbed to up in North Dakota. Like you drove on the road. Did you ever do like that ice trucker deal?

[Kirby]

Yes. Ice trucker. Yeah.

[Jeff]

So you've driven on ice and all.

[Kirby]

Of that minus minus 55 degrees up there. You know, what in the.

[Jeff]

What does that feel like?

[Kirby]

It feels like you can't stay outside more than three minutes at a time. You know, you got to be back in your truck by three minutes or you'll freeze.

[Jeff]

What in the world? Did you like that?

[Kirby]

Yes, I liked it.

[Jeff]

What's wrong with you, Kirby?

[Kirby]

Like, it's just crazy. It's crazy weather. Up there, and somebody's got to do it.

[Jeff]

Yeah. Not fair.

[Kirby]

So I took it up on myself to take care of that job session and.

[Jeff]

Wow. Then let me ask you, just so we're catching up, growing up, any brothers or sisters in your family?

[Kirby]

Yes, I got three brothers, one sister.

[Jeff]

Okay.

[Kirby]

And two of my brothers have passed.

[Jeff]

Two of your brothers have passed?

[Kirby]

Yes, I got one brother living.

[Jeff]

Okay.

[Kirby]

He's in Germany and.

[Jeff]

Germany?

[Kirby]

Yes, in Germany.

[Jeff]

What's he doing in Germany?

[Kirby]

He's a master electrician.

[Jeff]

Oh. He puts.

[Kirby]

He puts the air conditions on the skyscrapers.

[Jeff]

What?

[Kirby]

Yes, that's what he does in Germany.

[Jeff]

Can you imagine anything more scary than that?

[Kirby]

Hey, it's pretty. I've seen some pictures.

[Jeff]

What?

[Kirby]

Yes. Yeah.

[Jeff]

Like, he puts the air conditioner stuff on the top of skyscraper buildings in Germany.

[Kirby]

Yes. Air conditioning units.

[Jeff]

There ain't no way.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

No. So.

[Kirby]

Ready?

[Jeff]

You just hit on two of my biggest fears. I don't like horses. Okay. I sure don't like heights like that, man. I. You put me on a horse on top of a skyscraper, I got all kind of problems. Like, man, I got big problems right there. Kirby, it's. Okay. So you got two of your. Your brothers have passed away. Older or younger?

[Kirby]

Older. My brother Anthony and Rudy Robinson, they unpassed. And. And other brother passing. 98. Yeah. About the same year as my parents passed.

[Jeff]

And your parents have passed away.

[Kirby]

Both. Both parents passed a year, part 97 and 98.

[Jeff]

Okay. Okay, so then.

[Kirby]

I mean, me alone.

[Jeff]

So. Okay, you're right. And so both of your parents have passed. Two of your. Your siblings have passed. So you still have a sister and a brother alive.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jeff]

Okay. That's a lot.

[Kirby]

Yeah, that's a lot.

[Jeff]

Okay. And then. So then out of that, with your parents passing, I would guess like the farm that you grew up on. An academy.

[Kirby]

Right.

[Jeff]

I mean, it's still there, but just. But not for you.

[Kirby]

Yeah, for me.

[Jeff]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

And then my sister, she's in Austin.

[Jeff]

Okay.

[Kirby]

And she's. She's. She's. You know, men, you know, the hard parts of life, you know, you got to lose family or. Or you have arguments with family that you can't come back. So that's point of my trial, you know.

[Jeff]

Okay.

[Kirby]

Why I'm here, you know.

[Jeff]

Okay.

[Kirby]

Neglect, you know, as far as family and friends or, know, close to Internet. Family.

[Jeff]

Yeah, yeah, Agreed.

[Kirby]

Cousins, you know, brothers.

[Jeff]

You don't have it anymore?

[Kirby]

Yes, don't have it no more.

[Jeff]

Okay, so what's interesting on. Like, I don't know if interesting is the right word, Kirby. But what. What I am becoming to believe out here, like, in the people that we serve, so many of the people like. And. And you would be people that we meet here. Not serve. That's not the right word. But so people that we meet here. I would say the thing that is common everywhere is. I'm going to use a big word, but a catastrophic loss of family.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

They are all alone. And the family system either they never had. Like, you had a family system that you grew up in, like, that would be this. You had parents and you had brothers and sisters. But things happen, lives passed, and then events occur and there's a crack in the family.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jeff]

So it was down to, you know, your brother, he's in Germany.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

Okay. Your sister, y'all had disagreement.

[Kirby]

She has a big family disagreement, you.

[Jeff]

Know, and you had disagreement. And so. Yes, it's now Kirby on his own. And then some of our other people, their catastrophic loss of family occurred when they were little bitty kids.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

And their parents made terrible choices and they never had family.

[Kirby]

Right.

[Jeff]

Okay. So I would look at that and I'd go, it's. It's a support system. Okay. So we are. We're driving the trucks. We have a disconnect from our family. Not anything. Some of these. You didn't choose your brother's passing. You did not choose your parents passing you. You didn't make these choices. You're driving that.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jeff]

So then we will catch up to where we were three years ago. So then we had an accident.

[Kirby]

An accident? Yes, In Dallas, Texas. Just got off work. I make a, you know, heavy traffic, stop in traffic, and 60 miles per hour hit me from behind.

[Jeff]

Oh, somebody hit you?

[Kirby]

Yes, hit me from behind.

[Jeff]

In your car? In the truck.

[Kirby]

In my car.

[Jeff]

Okay. Okay. Got off work. Meaning you weren't driving.

[Kirby]

Yes, Uber. I was driving for Uber and they hit me.

[Jeff]

Okay.

[Kirby]

And I'm having a hard time getting help, you know, from insurance companies, and just no help at all. Just. I have a lawyer, you know, I have lawyer, and it's trying to get the cases solved, you know, and then I got hit a second time a month after, you know, at 20 miles per hour, 30 miles per hour, and got hit again, rear end in the same car.

[Jeff]

Okay.

[Kirby]

And. And that took me six months to get back walking, you know.

[Jeff]

Took you six. Okay, hold on. So you had an accident and somebody hit you from behind?

[Kirby]

Hit me from behind.

[Jeff]

Okay. So then. Well, and it. And so if I like. So, Kirby, if I ask any questions, because there's an open case.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jeff]

So if I ask any questions, that would be. And because I don't know. So like I'm. If. If I am ignorant in my questions, you're not going to hurt me by saying, jeff, I can't answer that. Or okay, so. And I'm so. I'm so you were hit from behind. So then I would think that would mean you're not at fault.

[Kirby]

I'm not at fault.

[Jeff]

Okay. Correct. Okay. So you're not at fault for this accident.

[Kirby]

No, sir.

[Jeff]

And so then six months that I.

[Kirby]

Had to learn how to walk again or try to.

[Jeff]

Because you had back injuries.

[Kirby]

Back injuries, Pain. And. And the third. First three months I stayed over at Colleen to shelter in Colleen. And then I came back over here after three months and then I was still trying to walk whenever I got over here. Okay. That's why I carry a cane now. I was pushing a cart, a shopping cart. They might have seen me around town fishing a cart.

[Jeff]

Because that was sort of like support for you.

[Kirby]

Yes. And. And I had to, you know, that's why I'm in Stan.

[Jeff]

Okay, now let me ask just so. So for people out there, like the. To driving a truck, okay. If you are injured and you are unable to drive a truck, do you still get paid as a truck driver?

[Kirby]

No, sir, I'm having. I'm having to go to Social Security.

[Jeff]

So the truck drivers get paid because they haul a load.

[Kirby]

Right, Right.

[Jeff]

Okay. So then if you are not driving, you're not making an income and then they. No offense to companies, but in the truck driving world, you know, they would maybe say, man, I'm so sorry, Kirby. Appreciate it. See you. But I wouldn't want to be.

[Kirby]

Yes, but Uber, I had the best insurance there was and I'm trying to find out why. Why the insurance isn't kicking in or didn't help me, you know, over two years now, you know, they haven't helped me and my lawyer is supposed to be getting into that. And it's. A lot of people think that I'm here for other reasons, but okay, I'm just agreed.

[Jeff]

So we're going to look so like out of that. So like this is kind of our discussions is people and we're going to look at this because then you just said it then you, you, you come up that like in our area, your upbringing, your story is like so many people around here, right. You're grew up in a country setting out an academy. Most of them, their parents would have been related to agriculture. Maybe they. Okay. And you went to high school there. You were all state and football in this. Then you went and got a job.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

At McLean's. And that's a. That is a good job in our area.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

Okay, so you went and got straight out of high school. I'm gonna go work. I'm gonna go make money. Drove trucks for 35 years.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

Okay. Which is. That's the next step up, man. I'm gonna even.

[Kirby]

Right.

[Jeff]

Make more money. Truck drivers make good.

[Kirby]

Until two years ago, you know, drove, you know, truck. And then I started Ubering because I was getting ready to retire.

[Jeff]

That's right. You've been doing 35 years.

[Kirby]

Yeah. So I was cycling that, and then I got hit from behind and.

[Jeff]

Okay.

[Kirby]

And so tough. Been real tough.

[Jeff]

I would agree.

[Kirby]

Yes, sir.

[Jeff]

And I'm saying that. And. And so I don't even claim to know. And we can look at that. So then out there, I'm putting this out there. If you happen to be an attorney and you want to contact Jeff up here at Feed My Sheep, we would love to have advice of going, what could we look at in some of this stuff to go with Kirby? Because we understand in the world we live in insurance's job. This is not negative, but they're really not fond of paying money out.

[Kirby]

Right.

[Jeff]

Okay. So if they can delay it as long as possible and to make things as bad as possible, then Kirby will settle for the least amount possible. Because a little of something is better than living on the streets for the other day.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jeff]

So they know this, and then it costs them nothing to delay it.

[Kirby]

Right.

[Jeff]

You know, yeah, sure. We'll get to that. And of course, anyway, delay and so in it. So let me ask you. And I know this is a dumb question, but I'm going to ask any. You know, did you in, like, your life goal, you're going. You know what? I really hope that someday in my life that I could be homeless, that I'm having to stay outside on the street with. Was that one of your life goals?

[Kirby]

No, no, no, no, no.

[Jeff]

Did you even think that was in the realm of possibility?

[Kirby]

No, no. I never thought this was. This would be mine, but. But it has taught me a lot, you know.

[Jeff]

What's it taught you?

[Kirby]

It taught me a bunch of maturity, responsibility, and also people taught me about people. Ah, okay. See, I like to help people anyway.

[Jeff]

Now you do. You got a very big heart.

[Kirby]

So. So it's like.

[Jeff]

And you're a protector. We got to watch that sometimes. Like, so he is, like, he is a protector.

[Kirby]

Yes. So it's. That's. That's been my life since I've been on a ranch.

[Jeff]

And then what's interesting to me. Okay. And for you. And I would agree with what you said, like, so that's not interesting. Okay. What is interesting is you would say being homeless has taught you maturity and responsibility.

[Kirby]

Responsibility.

[Jeff]

And many people that are outside and looking at somebody homeless would say, man, if he would just learn to be responsible and grow up.

[Kirby]

Yes. Yes.

[Jeff]

It'd be. His problems would be over.

[Kirby]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Jeff]

Is it that easy?

[Kirby]

It's not that easy.

[Jeff]

It's not that easy because.

[Kirby]

Because you have people out here that. That's a lot worse shape than I'm in. But, but have like, let's say my main issue is like people that can't defend themselves or been nice all their life and then throw into the situation and they don't know how to handle a situation. So you even helped me a time or two.

[Jeff]

Oh, yeah.

[Kirby]

We've.

[Jeff]

We've backed him out to keep him out.

[Kirby]

Like, it's like, um, they come in, we have to, you know, keep them out.

[Jeff]

That's right.

[Kirby]

Right.

[Jeff]

Yeah. Let me ask.

[Kirby]

In trouble or no?

[Jeff]

And so like in Kirby. So you have been homeless, if you were get how long?

[Kirby]

Two years.

[Jeff]

Two years?

[Kirby]

Yes, sir.

[Jeff]

Okay. Golly. And currently you are staying at. We won't say the name of a place, so don't get anybody in trouble or whatever. Not that we're going to get in my trouble. Whatever. But you are now housed. Staying inside the only place that Temple has that somebody who is homeless could stay at.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

Okay. And it's a limited program.

[Kirby]

Thanks to Feed my Sheep.

[Jeff]

Well, yeah, we, we went to bat for Kirby and he's done well. And it, it could afford opportunities for him. So we're trying on that. And so that just so everybody knows. So like when we're done today, Kirby will go and he's going to stay inside. He's going to have access to a bed. He's going to have access to showers. He's got people that are working on his behalf right now to try to figure out permanent housing, long range housing, jobs, these kind of things. So just y'all out there to know kind of where we're at in that part of the story.

[Kirby]

And, and I've never, you know, I went to the hospital and they never give me a diagnosis on my back, a final diagnosis. And that's why I haven't been able to go any further, because they haven't given me a final Diagnosis.

[Jeff]

Oh, okay.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

Well, then we need to get that.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jeff]

Okay. Then we need to look at some of the medical deals and get that. And then say, kirby, show me the money and come on this way. And then. Then make the big donation to feed my sheep, which is shortly. There. Yeah. You know. You know, there was an angle, man. I'm steering that one. Let me ask you on this.

[Kirby]

Definitely.

[Jeff]

Okay. And then I'm. I'm joking on that. Like, so, like that was. That was just messing with Kirby. And you can see.

[Kirby]

Yeah, Okay. I put things in motion.

[Jeff]

Well, agreed. Like this. And so Bobby and I, we were talking today about being grateful and thankful about everything that comes along. And so like this one, it's Redneck 101. But you know, you gotta. You gotta deal with the cards that were dealt, you know? And if it doesn't rain, you still gotta crop. You gotta still take care of it. You still work. And you wish it would maybe. Man, I wish we would've had more rain. Or if it rains when you're trying to harvest, you're like, dad gum, I wish it wasn't raining right now, but it is.

[Kirby]

It is.

[Jeff]

And I still gotta. I still gotta figure out to do what I gotta do.

[Kirby]

Gotta finish line, I gotta grow.

[Jeff]

That's it. I got a finish line, I got across. And I'm still in the race.

[Kirby]

Yes, sir.

[Jeff]

Okay. I'm still in the race. So let me tap down.

[Kirby]

I haven't tapped out.

[Jeff]

No, we're not. We're not going to do that. And so we're going to get there. And Kirby will. Yes, sir, he will. And you can kind of see, I mean, we're friends. Like, that's. That's first and foremost. I mean, I enjoy. He's always got a smile on his face. Except when he doesn't have a smile on his face. But.

[Kirby]

Yeah, just a good reason. Yeah, for a good reason.

[Jeff]

But so. Always has a smile on his face. Always very pleasant to be around. And I enjoy that, you know, because those things are a choice.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

And Kirby could sit here and you go, I ain't smiling. I'm gonna be pissed off at the world because I got bad debt. I mean. Okay, we'll just say you got some difficult cards that have been dealt with you in the last three years. Two years.

[Kirby]

Two years.

[Jeff]

Okay. Difficult. Okay. And so you have a choice. Okay. I may not like the cards, but I still have a choice of controlling how I am going to play the cards, how I'm going to react to the hand that I'm played and such like that.

[Kirby]

Right.

[Jeff]

Okay. And so your choice has been very positive. So let me ask you, because I'd be amiss if I didn't. Okay. Being homeless, I asked you what's. What's it like to be outside? 50 below? 55 below zero.

[Kirby]

Yes. Golly, yes.

[Jeff]

Okay. How tough is it to be living out on the street?

[Kirby]

It is so tough that you got to watch. Watch your life, you know?

[Jeff]

And what some of the people out there tell me, what does that actually mean, watch your life?

[Kirby]

There's people out there that don't know you that will want to take your life.

[Jeff]

That's it. So there's ain't a play term.

[Kirby]

It's not a play term.

[Jeff]

No, it's.

[Kirby]

And they want to give you tickets for sleeping. You make your life very hard.

[Jeff]

The police.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

Okay. So, like, we now live in a world that it is. It is illegal to be sleeping outside.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

And then. So then in it, you will get tickets.

[Kirby]

Yes, get tickets. And criminal trespass makes it look real bad.

[Jeff]

Agreed. Criminal twice. 24 days in jail.

[Kirby]

Yes. Yes.

[Jeff]

Okay, so you get 24 days in jail, and that cost.

[Kirby]

Cost you more time. Cost you more time and money that you don't have.

[Jeff]

That's right. So then you get to sit the time out in jail because you don't have the money to pay for the ticket that you got for camping. And then you got that one sitting on you, and you got that one sitting on you. So you have these charges that sit on a lot of people.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

They don't even know necessarily. They have. And they just are kind of sitting there. And then when the cops want to use it, they use it. Use it, you know, and so maybe, you know, not. This is not negative on. This is just the world. Just. Okay, this is the world. And so maybe. Oh, they look and they're wanting some information from Kirby about maybe who's moving. Not the Kirby does product or anything, but. Yeah, hey, they're trying to figure out who's using product.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jeff]

And you don't want to snitch. And you go, snitches get stitches, Right? I mean, that's the word around here. I mean, so. But they. They're saying, no, I don't know nothing. And they think you do know. And they go, hey, by the way, Kirby, you know what? You got three warrants sitting on you. Either you tell me right now, or I'm going to take you in for. You got three camping warrants sitting on you, and you got 80 days in jail sitting on you.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

Or fail me right now and I'll make sure these go away.

[Kirby]

Yes. 500 fine.

[Jeff]

Yeah, 500 fine.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jeff]

But you know what? Let me know. Hey, who's moving this stuff? I know you ain't doing it. You ain't in trouble. Just tell me this. You don't go. But it's always sitting on you.

[Kirby]

It's always sitting on you.

[Jeff]

You got these warrants sitting on you. And then you know they get another so difficult. So you got the. Out of that. I would imagine wherever you have to spend the night. It's not like you get to sleep a great. Because in it you don't get to set up a mattress on the sidewalk.

[Kirby]

Do you know hard. Hard concrete.

[Jeff]

Hard concrete in a place where somebody wouldn't knowing.

[Kirby]

And raining.

[Jeff]

Okay. That's right. So in it. Weather comes. Guess what?

[Kirby]

I'm out there in it underneath the tarp. Luckily I had a tarp the last two years.

[Jeff]

Luckily you had a tarp.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

Okay, agree. And then. So then you'd go. Well, man, just go in a vacant house. Trespassing. Trespassing and breaking and entering. Felony. You move into a whole other deal.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jeff]

You get caught with some of this stuff, Kirby loses cdl. Can't go another job. Oh, you got notice. You got a felony for breaking and entering. You ain't finding a job nowhere. Well, no, I was just. I just went into a vacant house because it was cold. It was raining. It was cold. I was freezing to death. And I just went. Thank you. We'll call you. We'll let you know. I'll try to find a place to live.

[Kirby]

Very tough to you.

[Jeff]

Very tough. You can kind of see this. And then. So you got that. The legal troubles of being on our homeless cake. I don't like unhoused. I'm not going to go to politically because it's. The issue is you don't have a home. You are homeless.

[Kirby]

Yes. Homeless.

[Jeff]

You don't have a family right now that'll take you and you don't have a place to stay. You don't have a home to go to.

[Kirby]

Right.

[Jeff]

Okay. That's the definition to me of being homeless. Unhoused. Oh, he's unhoused. If we could just find a house. I'm not saying anything negative on that word. I see both.

[Kirby]

Because if insurance would have took care of the. Their position in the first place.

[Jeff]

You ain't unhoused.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jeff]

You're not homeless.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

You're not in this.

[Kirby]

They would. They would. They would have took care.

[Jeff]

And we're still. Then that's. Still. It's coming. And so we got that. It doesn't have. You go. So mine. The point of this is. Okay, tell me what. Well, okay, because you've been homeless for several years, and people have to have seen you walking around with a cart. What is it. What does it feel like when somebody drives by in their car and they see and they look over at you and they get the look, and they're like, oh. And they kind of glance and then they look away because they're afraid you're fixing to ask for money or hold up a sign that says, we'll work for food. Give me your.

[Kirby]

Very humiliating. Very humiliating.

[Jeff]

It is.

[Kirby]

And I think the people that. That help me, you know, with food and stuff while I was out on the street, because there are some good people out there.

[Jeff]

Agreed.

[Kirby]

And. And I remember. I remember pretty much all of them's faces. You know, if I say if I seen them, they're going to get a big.

[Jeff]

And then all of y'all who didn't watch out for a big, giant guy walking downtown, like, say, you might want to go. Because he also said that one without saying it is, but out of that it is. It's legit.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jeff]

You know, and then. So in that even though you were. And feel is the word that we're saying. Okay. Feel. Did you feel that you were equal to all those people that drove by on the street?

[Kirby]

Oh, definitely not.

[Jeff]

Totally, definitely not. Why not?

[Kirby]

Just some of them laughed and. Jared. Okay, Some. Some of them. I renew. You know that.

[Jeff]

Oh, because you're from this area. That's right. That's right.

[Kirby]

Yes. We seen Kirby, you know, walking down the street with a car.

[Jeff]

Yep.

[Kirby]

And they didn't stop. You know, just laugh, just laugh.

[Jeff]

Just chuckle.

[Kirby]

Oh, like, oh, boy. Big boys on the street. Yeah.

[Jeff]

Camp and then ready. I can't. But then they would make the. Oh, I can't believe he's now a drug addict.

[Kirby]

Yes. Yes. That's crazy.

[Jeff]

It's crazy.

[Kirby]

Yes, it's crazy.

[Jeff]

I mean, to some people. So I'm going to break it to everybody who's listening. This is. This is news. Okay. Some people that live in the rich part of our town.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

Some people that live there are clean and sober and some people have problems with addictions and substance in the rich part of town.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

Some people that are homeless are clean and sober.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

And some people have issues with addiction and substance and mental health.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

That's the world.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

The world that's the world. It's not a blanket statement. Everybody who's rich is not an addict. Everybody who is homeless is not an addict.

[Kirby]

Right, right, exactly.

[Jeff]

Now I could see, and I'm not justifying it. I could see where substances might be a way to escape the world that I'm trying to survive in.

[Kirby]

Yes. Yes.

[Jeff]

Okay. So I'm not justifying the action.

[Kirby]

Right now I'm going to Mhmr and they got me on the Tudor.

[Jeff]

Okay.

[Kirby]

You know, it helps me, you know, cope with things.

[Jeff]

Okay. But to different. So the substance. That's the proper way. So to get mental health help.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

Is like that. Mhmr is a system we have in our area that would be a very good way to get the help and to get medicine.

[Kirby]

They do. They talk to you and just like we're doing here in the setting. Talk to you and try to help you get right back on track.

[Jeff]

That's right.

[Kirby]

Because it's. It's like I said, it's lonely out here.

[Jeff]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

And. And hopefully, you know, we'll get help. Like we supposed to get help.

[Jeff]

Okay. And then we'll. Well, I'm gonna. One question and we're not necessarily going in order. Okay. So. But a lot of people who might be listening to this when they see somebody who's homeless, they say this. Oh man. If they would just pull themselves up and then. Then like, then they can get themselves. Is it that easy?

[Kirby]

And you got doctors, you know, that's not giving you the right, um, prescriptions are the right help to get you back into society. Like it's been two years.

[Jeff]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

Somebody could have did something by now or tried to.

[Jeff]

And there's a lot.

[Kirby]

I'm still stuck here rottening, you know, just weathering away. And whenever they said they was going to do an operation, but they never did it. So it's just I'm having to wait for our final.

[Jeff]

So you're physically not able to work because of your accident?

[Kirby]

Yes, by my accident. And it hurts me just sitting here, you know.

[Jeff]

Okay.

[Kirby]

And then I'll get out there and I'll push. I'll push that extra limit, you know, to do things that I have to. But then I can't, you know, I can't move around the next day or two.

[Jeff]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

But. But yeah.

[Jeff]

Okay. And so like that we would go. It's. It's not like Kirby's like, this is awesome. I just want to stay homeless. No. Okay. We've got some physical limitations now, which. I mean, any person. Any person that comes to that chapter in life to realize I can't do all the things that I would love to be able to do. Used to be able to do. Right. I'm all state football player. I played football.

[Kirby]

Yeah. Strong.

[Jeff]

Okay. I'm strong. Big dude. Strong. Big. This shouldn't be, shouldn't be. It shouldn't be, shouldn't be. Okay. But it is. And then out of this, you know, you're going, you know what? I shouldn't be on concrete.

[Kirby]

Right.

[Jeff]

My back hurts. I can't sleep all. So that's life.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

So let me ask you, being in the homeless deal. Tell me if I said to you, tell me the scariest or the worst moment you've had being homeless.

[Kirby]

Well, like Paulo.

[Jeff]

Oh, okay.

[Kirby]

He had to face certain issues, certain trials. I had. I had people try to hurt me.

[Jeff]

Okay, so I'll tell. And you're going to tell us about you. But. So Paulo is a friend of ours. Okay. That got shot last Thursday.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

Okay. So Paula would be somebody we know he was homeless.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

Okay. Kirby knew Paulo. Paulo got shot by a 17 year old boy. He is the suspect that was caught for the case. So I will not say anything about guilt or innocence before he's trialed. He has that right. Won't say any name, but I don't know, it doesn't matter. But 17 year old young man is the suspect of shooting Paulo.

[Kirby]

Yes. And there's been several beatings around in this area, you know, targeting homeless men, you know, older men.

[Jeff]

Last night there was one, you know that.

[Kirby]

Oh, I didn't know that.

[Jeff]

Yeah. So then I'll go ahead and tell you some news that not everybody knows.

[Kirby]

Right.

[Jeff]

Then somebody you know too. I won't say his name. He's sitting in the hospital right now. Okay. So he got beat in the head with a pipe or a stick. We don't know what.

[Kirby]

Wow.

[Jeff]

And the person who did it. We know the person who did it.

[Kirby]

Wow.

[Jeff]

Okay. Because you got. Well, won't you know the person who did it? Because I had to pull you off of the person.

[Kirby]

Oh.

[Jeff]

Not too long ago. Because you were angry at them.

[Kirby]

Yes. Okay.

[Jeff]

And so. But the person hit him in the head and tried to see about putting an end to their life.

[Kirby]

Wow.

[Jeff]

And. But so he's in the hospital. He's going to recover. He's going to be fine.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

Physical violence is real.

[Kirby]

Well, it's. It's a way of life out here because you never know when they're going to turn to you.

[Jeff]

Well, yeah. Huh.

[Kirby]

Yes. Because you Got to protect yourself. That's all I got to say is you got to protect yourself from people like that. See, he went and did it somebody else, you know, but he can. He didn't do it to me that time.

[Jeff]

Well, that's right. I wouldn't. You're big.

[Kirby]

Okay.

[Jeff]

But like the best I'd heard, like one of our guys over here in this day and age, the last two that we have lost, Vernon and Paulo, they're real big. They're big guys.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

And so one of the guys said, well, the world is full of a bunch of baby vipers now. And I'm like, what's that? And it's these people that are carrying around weapons that shouldn't have any weapons, and they don't even know what to do. And they do. Well, they know undo stupidity.

[Kirby]

Wow.

[Jeff]

You know, and so they. They've got this ability to be very dangerous and they use it because they don't have enough sense to not. That's what baby snakes do. The most dangerous snake is not an adult snake because it learns how to control its poison. It's the little baby ones who don't know what to do or venom. Okay. And so out of it. So the. The threat of violence. It's real. It's.

[Kirby]

And the balance is real.

[Jeff]

Yeah. And so like a big guy like you, Kirby, I would think pretty decent target because somebody who's wanting to put stake how tough and how big they are in this world.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

Well, the only way to do it is you try on one of the big.

[Kirby]

Yes, I try to hold a piece outside too.

[Jeff]

No, you do. And your. Your temperament is. Is really good. And. And so out of this. So we are not inferring Kirby is anywhere near violence. That's not at all. I joke with him on that, but. No, not at all. This is not his mo. He is smiling, he's helpful.

[Kirby]

I am definitely with the peace he is.

[Jeff]

He's. He's about peace and out of this. And then I'm guessing spending the night wherever you found a place on the concrete, you don't get to lounge around in the morning. You got to be up and gone before the sun even thinks.

[Kirby]

And I watch for people, you know, struggling or, you know, a lot of people need help out there. That's like, I help if anybody's in trouble, just, you know, they see me come holler.

[Jeff]

Yeah. And I would think like in that world, it would seem to me you're just always perpetually tired because you can't really sleep good. I mean, because there's always cars coming by. And is this the next car gonna get. There's people walking by.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jeff]

There's like. There's all these things that are occurring to you. Close your eyes for a little bit.

[Kirby]

Am I gonna hit, get hit in the head or.

[Jeff]

Well, agree.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jeff]

You go to sleep soundly.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jeff]

And so like the. We had cars. He's no longer living because he was asleep.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

And he got his head bashed in with a pipe.

[Kirby]

Yes. Yes, sir.

[Jeff]

Okay. So you can't. It's not like going at your house. I'm gonna crash out and sleep. Or in a hotel room. When you're driving trucks, I lock the door, nobody's coming in. Oh, I'm gonna sleep because I'm tired. He says, I'm tired. Okay. And I want this to be different.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

Okay. And then so all of that to say it is interesting. And then out of it, you've seen like to. Not you or anything of that, but a lot of people that are in the. On the homeless world, drugs and alcohol and those type of choices. Well, they're a lot in. A lot of people have that struggle.

[Kirby]

Yeah. Well. And luckily, having had that main problem.

[Jeff]

Agreed. Somehow. Which is good. Yes, which is good. But a lot of people. That is a struggle. And then as anybody could see, you're blessed in that. The mental health side, you're getting some. Some work with MHMR to help you with that.

[Kirby]

But here, it's also here on Wednesdays, you know, and Fridays you have the Bible study. Bible studies.

[Jeff]

Yes, that's right. So we got Pastor Reggie.

[Kirby]

It was coming Thursdays and then. But yeah, got a lot of things.

[Jeff]

You know, we're trying.

[Kirby]

Yeah, we get deep sometimes.

[Jeff]

Yeah. Agree, Reggie. And so like, the Bible studies are good and not. I'm not saying other good. And no, they're. They're good because the true answer to everything is that what is laid out in the Bible, it must be true. It has to be true, or this world is just absolutely doomed.

[Kirby]

Yes, yes, that's true.

[Jeff]

I mean, that's a fact. Okay. And so we look at that and it's a spiritual deal. And so let me ask you, Kirby. Married? Ever been married? A family of your own?

[Kirby]

Yes, I was married and I have three kids.

[Jeff]

You have three kids. Tell me about your kid.

[Kirby]

Have a daughter and two sons.

[Jeff]

Your daughter is how old? If you were guessing?

[Kirby]

28. 28. And then my other older sons are 30 and 31.

[Jeff]

Man, you're old, Kirby. I'm just kidding. God. But it's hard to believe. And then they are. Where are they at?

[Kirby]

Here in Bell county and Bryant College Station.

[Jeff]

Okay.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jeff]

So my parents, they live in Bryan College Station.

[Kirby]

Okay. Yeah. My daughter lives there in Bryan College.

[Jeff]

Okay.

[Kirby]

She's doing good. Got a granddaughter. I got two granddaughters. Yeah.

[Jeff]

Really?

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jeff]

What in the world?

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jeff]

And do you ever get to see that side of your family?

[Kirby]

Not quite yet. They're only like a year and a half old.

[Jeff]

Okay.

[Kirby]

Both of them. Yeah.

[Jeff]

So hopefully when coming up, when you get. When you get settled in.

[Kirby]

Get settled in and hopefully things get. Get right. Yeah.

[Jeff]

Okay.

[Kirby]

Because it's gonna get right.

[Jeff]

No, it is for sure on that one. And so then out of that, there's a lot of great things to look forward to. Like, it makes me smile.

[Kirby]

Family back together.

[Jeff]

Oh, to see. Like, you're going to be a great. Like when we get this, you will be a great grandfather.

[Kirby]

Great grandfather.

[Jeff]

Oh, you will be magnificent. Like, I can look at you right now holding a little beautiful granddaughter.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

And nobody would come near you and you'd just be smiling and laughing and they're going to think you're the best thing since life's bread.

[Kirby]

Amen.

[Jeff]

Agreed. And so that is. That's worth struggling forward towards. Is. And I can see it. Like, you can see it. It's going to be.

[Kirby]

Yes, it's going to be.

[Jeff]

It's going to be. And this chapter that you're in.

[Kirby]

On the downside, it's.

[Jeff]

It's not the best, but it's going to pass.

[Kirby]

Yeah, it's going to pass.

[Jeff]

And you're going to not just pass because that. That's sort of passive. We can't control anything. But you will pull yourself out. Like, you will come out of this.

[Kirby]

Yes. Out of the fire.

[Jeff]

Out of the fire. And you will be.

[Kirby]

Well, yes. Yes, sir.

[Jeff]

Okay. We are not in charge of the timeline, but we are in charge of the perseverance in the attitude. And like that. Magnificent. I've got a granddaughter. And then for everybody out there to hear, Kirby's on the path. Like, we've got resources that are up there ahead. We can find a place to stay. We can get your own place. We can get these things. We can get insurance. So again, if there's an attorney out there listening, it is feed my sheep temple.org you send me an email and to say, hey, here's what I recommend you do. And let's. Let's do that. Yes, sir. So anything else you want to tell us about Kirby?

[Kirby]

Just that. Well, can't Wait to see my family.

[Jeff]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

It's been a hard, you know, hard role. And hopefully see you soon.

[Jeff]

Yeah. And I would agree. And I would tell Kirby that he is one of our family.

[Kirby]

Thank you.

[Jeff]

But Not a but. But I. I cherish the moment that he gets to be with his true biological family.

[Kirby]

Amen. Thank you.

[Jeff]

You know, and to think of that. And it made my day to think of Kirby holding a granddaughter. And seeing that will be very, very, very good. And I do appreciate. Yeah. So, like, out of this, Kirby. Like, so. Okay. And it matters. Zero. Okay. So I don't. It doesn't matter.

[Kirby]

This really has affected me a lot.

[Jeff]

No.

[Kirby]

Okay. Just think. Just sit here and agree about this.

[Jeff]

And I want you to hear. Okay. You have a huge impact on my life in a very good way. Like, I look to you and I don't see somebody that I should be ashamed of. It reminds me of how I should act towards others and how kind you are and how caring. I know the road is difficult for you, so just know that I'm sort of bragging on you, but I do. I look to you when you don't even realize. And to say, okay, calm down. Okay. And to watch how you are. And you do care about people. I know for a fact that there's a person named Ms. Cindy that runs the cafe. You would never let anybody come within a mile of. Of Within a mile of Miss Cindy. And so I know Kirby's up there. And not that anybody does anything.

[Kirby]

Right.

[Jeff]

But you care about her.

[Kirby]

Yes. Yes, of course.

[Jeff]

Okay. And so I do. I respect that. I respect the fact that you're keeping on fighting. And so around here and in this town. And then. Ready? What's cool about this is you don't even have any idea how many people will listen to this. And when somebody looks at you, whether they did or didn't, you can go. You know what? You look them square in the eye because they should be looking at you and going, that's Kirby, and he is a good guy.

[Kirby]

Yes, sir.

[Jeff]

You ain't ashamed of nothing. I'm not saying not ashamed of nothing. Okay. Any more than I am. I can. I am ashamed of some of the things I do today.

[Kirby]

Right.

[Jeff]

I am not nearly the person I want to be.

[Kirby]

Definitely. I'm definitely not perfect.

[Jeff]

Not perfect. But you are not less of a person than any single person that comes in contact with.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

Okay. Where I live or don't live does not define anything. And you. We will. Out of this. We were friends. I now know more. Okay. And I don't want any rumors going around of, man just scared of horses. That is a big old baby, dude. Man, they got big old teeth. Man. Their teeth are, like, that big. I don't like their teeth, like, so huge. They're huge. And they're smarter than me. Like, so that doesn't take much, and they'll. So boom. Um, they throw you off, and they know. But it has been great to get to. To talk, and I hope everybody out there can see, I mean, like, what we say every time. It's pretty simple up here. We deal with individual people. There is not one story that's the same. And so we. We do these, and it's not like, oh, look at this sob story. Every story is different, right? Every person is different. How we got here, and all of these things that brought us here, they're all very different. Okay? But the thing that connects us all is we care about people, and then Kirby cares about people, and we don't think anybody should stay here.

[Kirby]

Yes. It's got to come to an end.

[Jeff]

Got to come to an end.

[Kirby]

Got to come to a truth reality.

[Jeff]

That's it. It's got to end.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

This cannot be the world that. And it is not the world that we're called to live in. It's gotta end. It must end. Okay? And each end, it's different for people. Kirby's end looks very different than this person's end and this person's. And so I'm not gonna say any other names because I don't want to draw somebody in. I don't have their permission. But I was going to say some other people's names. Okay. But I'm not. Because that's not right for me to do, because it's just not fair. But it just. It's just got to come to an end in this world that we live in. It's just gotta. It's gotta embrace the truth.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jeff]

So I've enjoyed it.

[Kirby]

Yes. I thank you very much.

[Jeff]

No, I thank you. Okay. And then out of that, you know, and then we tell, like, what you saw here and you heard is. Is Kirby's a person.

[Kirby]

Okay?

[Jeff]

He's a person. And we would say it every single time here. We do what we do. Everything that we are about is simply this. We believe people matter.

[Kirby]

Yes. Yes.

[Jeff]

Okay. And so everybody out there listening to this, you hear this, and you hear this. Well, Kirby matters.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

He matters.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

Okay? He matters. And not because I say it. Not because feed my sheep say it. Not because a podcast is telling you to say that Kirby matters. We say that because God proclaimed it in the Bible.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

And he said, I will create one Kirby like this in my entire, entire history of the world, there will only be one of you. And he said, it is a masterpiece I created. So he says it and you matter.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

And so. Not because I say it, because God himself proclaimed it.

[Kirby]

Amen.

[Jeff]

We were divinely created, so we would say, kirby matters. Okay. And then we all acknowledge that. And then what? I'd also say for everybody out there listening, wherever you are and whatever your situation is, I would say you are a person as well.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

Okay. And if you acknowledge that truth, which you go, well, that's absurd. Yeah, I'm a person. Then I would say the next thing, you matter.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jeff]

Whether you realize it or not. Not because you believe it, not because people tell you. Not because of this or this or this or this or this or whatever. You matter, because the truth is, God said it. So.

[Kirby]

God loves you.

[Jeff]

God loves you.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Jeff]

And. And so we won't go way down that path, but he loved you so much that he sent his son so that we should have eternity that we could spend in his presence. Okay. So hope y'all enjoyed this. I hope you enjoyed meeting Kirby as much as we do. Uh, and then I would tell you if you ever want to come meet him in person, hopefully not for much longer. Okay. But if you want to meet him right now, when you're hearing this great way, come up here and spend time with the people that feed my sheep.

[Kirby]

Yes, sir.

[Jeff]

Okay. Just come up here. And I'm not going to say come up here and serve. Come up here and be with the people that are here. Yes, you can serve, Kirby. Serve some. You can be. Just come.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Jeff]

And you come see, I got to meet that guy. Come on. All right. Come on. So thank you, Kirby, and been to mining. Minus 55 degrees.

[Kirby]

Yeah. Yes. It's cold.

[Jeff]

That's cold. Hey, I hope everybody. That's cold. Hey, I hope everybody has a great day, and I enjoyed this so much, and it's great to get to know you. Academy Little river. There you go. Sting them bees right there. Look, I hope everybody has a great day. And that's it. Thank you for listening, and we hope you enjoyed this episode of the Collage podcast, a production of Red Cord Media. For more information on this and other podcasts, Please visit redcord media.org.