Daniel “Preacher” Morrison had been on the open road for much of his life by the time he was 70. All he needed to feel free was the sound of his Harley, the wind on his face, and the wide horizon. However, on a calm night while traveling on Interstate 40, an inconceivable event occurred that would change his life forever.
Daniel saw a little figure in front of him in the beam of his headlight just after midnight. He believed it was just an animal that had gotten lost. But his heart stopped when he got closer. A baby, no more than two years old, was crawling across the middle lane by itself, barefoot, and shivering in the chilly night sky.
He slammed on the brakes, let go of the bike, and ran into the street. Daniel didn’t stop until he had the infant in his arms, even though cars honked and tires screeched. A semi-truck blasted by just inches away from them a few seconds later.
The girl was crying gently and holding on to his jacket. Her little hands were cold, and her face was dirty and wet with tears. Daniel put his leather coat around her and called 911, his voice cracking.
When the police got there, they were shocked. The baby had strayed from a nearby area, getting away from a residence that was later found to be hazardous. It was a marvel that she made it through the busy roadway that night, according to police and social workers.
Daniel stayed with the child as the paramedics looked at her. She wouldn’t let go of his hand. She groped for him every time someone tried to move her, even at the hospital. Later, he claimed, “It was like she already knew I wasn’t going anywhere.”
The authorities looked for family members over the next few days, but none of them could take care of her. The social worker asked Daniel, who was single, retired, and childless, whether he would think about temporarily fostering her. He didn’t think twice. He said, “I wasn’t going to let her go back into the dark after what she had been through.”
He called her Hope because that was what she brought into his life.
Hope didn’t say anything at first. She was scared of loud noises and wouldn’t sleep by herself. Daniel took care of her gently, using the patience he learned from years of traveling. She started to chuckle again after a while. He showed her how to ride her first tricycle, how to wave at bikers who passed by, and how to be cautious.
People in the area started nicknaming them the “Highway Family.” People from all across the state would stop by to see the little child who had been saved from the road. Local news called it “A Miracle on I-40.”
Months went by, and Daniel realized he couldn’t see his life without her. A lot of people thought a 70-year-old guy couldn’t take care of a toddler, but he did. He went to every meeting, passed every home inspection, and eventually got full custody.
Hope is a smart, curious little girl with giant hopes today. She rides next to her dad in a sidecar that was made just for her. She has a pink helmet with stickers on it. People grin and wave at them everywhere they go.
Daniel claims the night wasn’t a test of fate but a reward from fate.
“I spent my whole life looking for freedom,” he added. “I found it the moment I found her.”
