Yesterday, I was approached by a homeless man who was filthy, dejected, and wearing a tattered shirt and no shoes. He requested $20, and I gave him $50, to which he replied, “Thank you very much! “ “Take care of yourself!” I yelled. But he didn’t look away from me; instead, a smile spread across his face. “Don’t you remember me?” he questioned. I’m Ross, and we attended high school together.

I observed him. Dear God! Ross, I recall that you and I once battled, and you prevailed, but another time you protected me from a man who was about to strike me! What happened to you? Sad to say, everything occurred to me, he said. That’s all that happened to me: “I joined a gang, I smoked, I drank, I slept with women, I abandoned three pregnant women, I stole, I beat people, I spent seven times in jail, my kids are a mess and don’t want me, I contemplated suicide twice, and now I’m pleading for food and drink”. “How tragic!” He retorted, grinning, “I already have food for today, take care of yourself!”

He then walked away nervously and unsteadily. I asked myself on the drive home why our lives had turned out differently if we had the same circumstances and possibilities as kids, and I also gave my response. His present was different from mine because MY PARENTS were there! Indeed, I had the “worst” father and mother in the entire world! I had rules and schedules, along with consequences if I didn’t complete tasks by the deadline, whereas they let him run about the street playing and doing whatever came to mind. He wasn’t disciplined if he skipped school, but I was whether I was just late or missed school altogether… He was permitted to speak poorly of the old, smoke, and eat whatever he wanted in town!

I was forced to eat vegetable soup or a lengthy chicken-cutlery soup while drinking milk and water. drinking or smoking? I was afraid to even bring up the subject! Using poor language or retorting in the wrong way? A slap on the back of the mouth and a cut look! Mom and Dad, I appreciate you both! It’s not him today; it’s me since I had the worst mother and father in the entire world! Today, I give thanks to God for giving me those loving and strict parents. I appreciate you, my dear parents, and I will always carry you in my heart. Therefore, I insisted!