Yesterday, I was approached by a homeless man who was dirty, sad, and wearing a ripped shirt and no shoes. He asked for $20, and when I handed him $50, he responded, “Thank you so 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 watched him. Dear God! Ross, I recall that you and I once fought, and you won, but another time you protected me from a man who was about to strike me! What happened to you?”

“Sad to say, everything happened 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 time in jail, my kids are a mess and don’t want me, I contemplated suicide twice, and now I’m begging for food and water!”

“I stooped and said ” How tragic! I already have food for today, so take care of yourself, he said with a smile. He then walked away nervously and unsteadily.”

“I asked myself on the drive home why our lives ended up going in different routes if we had the same circumstances and possibilities as kids, and I also gave my answer. His present and mine were different because of my parents!”

“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 punished 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 had to have vegetable soup or lengthy chicken cutlery soup while also drinking milk and water. rinking or smoking?”

“I was afraid to even bring up the subject!”

“Using poor language or replying in the wrong way? A slap on the back of the mouth and a cutting look! Mom and dad, thank 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.”