Being Human
When two boys failed to show up for class, their teacher got concerned and couldn't let go of the thought that something was wrong. He went searching for them out of sheer compassion, and what he saw broke his heart.
Random acts of kindness from strangers may sometimes brighten people's lives in the most unexpected ways. And such ties may grow deeper and stronger over time.
Stand-up Guy
Jack Mook was a 22-year Army veteran and a Pittsburgh police investigator. He was a no-nonsense, straight-talking cop who could easily scare his coworkers and outsiders alike.
His gruff appearance was well-known among those who knew him. He was a dedicated bachelor outside of work, with no intention of ever establishing a family or settling down.
Golden Heart
Another characteristic of Jack was that his soft side was either non-existent or hidden deep within him. Surprisingly, even the Pittsburgh officer was unaware that he has a compassionate side and a golden heart.
It all started when Jack began helping at Steel City Boxing, a non-profit group that provided mentoring to poor youth.
Two Brothers
One day Jack met two brothers at the gym. They wanted to train. The Army veteran became fond of the brothers over time and liked mentoring them.
It wasn't just him. The kids liked him too. They enjoyed his company a lot.
Stopped Coming
But one day the kids didn't turn up for training at the gym. When they failed to show up for training one day, Jack became concerned. It never happened before.
The brothers never really skipped a day without informing him. So Jack decided to go look for them.
Opening Up
It was then that he met Josh, the elder brother, who eventually started pouring out his heart. The boy added, "And he [Jack] was asking me about it and then I just cried."
The kids, oblivious to Jack, had it considerably worse than he could have imagined.
Living Nightmare
The boys were raised in extreme poverty and were placed in foster care with relatives who were terribly cruel and uncaring.
With no beds to sleep in, no clothing to wear, and no parents to look up to, their lives had devolved into a living nightmare.
Bad Condition
When Jack saw the boys' deplorable living conditions, he was heartbroken. He expressed, "I thought, they're just special kids. They deserve to have help."
With tears in his eyes, Josh told Jack about his life, and the police detective realized he had to act fast.
Giving Home
Jack recounted, "He says, 'Coach, we have to sleep on the floor and there's nothing but dog feces on the floor. I'm trying to sleep my life away. I go to sleep as early as possible so I can sleep until I have to go back to school.'"
Soon after, Jack took matters into his own hands and, thanks to his position and rank, was able to secure the kids a new home — his.
New Life
The once dedicated bachelor embraced his new job as a foster father with enthusiasm. The brothers saw an entirely different side of Jack, which they grew to like over time. Their foster father was a skilled policeman, boxer, and even cook.
But fostering the children wasn't enough, so in 2014, Jack decided to adopt them.
Starting A Family
After formally becoming Josh and Jessee Mook, the siblings were delighted. They now had a future and a childhood to look forward to.
Josh reacted when asked how much Jack meant to him and Jessee, "He's still Coach, but we know he's Dad, too. Most of all, he's a savior. He's my role model."
Something Missing
After adopting the brothers, Jack felt his life was complete, but he had no idea that something was still lacking.
After his tale was reported on the news, a number of ladies contacted the news organization to express their want to date Jack.
Married
Mary was one of these ladies, whom he met at a pub and subsequently revealed she knew he'd be there. The pair married in the summer of 2014 and became one huge family, with Mary bringing her own three children.
"I thought being single was fun because you don't have any responsibilities. But when you're single, you don't realize what you're missing. I'm glad I let her breakthrough that barrier and take me away from that life," commented Jack.
Beyond Imagination
Jack, an Army paratrooper who previously participated in the Gulf War, never imagined himself as a dad or as someone who would settle down in life.
Both experiences, on the other hand, proved to be equally satisfying and life-changing.
Opening Our Heart
The incredible story of this stern instructor tells us that while you may not have it all together as a family, you do have it all and more.
Indeed, life is full of wonderful surprises, and our lives become more enjoyable only when we open our hearts to others.