We all have a story to tell.

Something has been bothering me lately. About a month ago I shared a meal with a homeless man while at work. A man who was begging a business not for money but to clean a store for a bottle of water and some food. Some critics believe I was doing it for attention and called it less than professional.

It's apparent that these critics don't know the real me, don't know my past and how life made me who I am. I'm going to let you in on a little secret and maybe you can understand why I am who I am. Not that I have to explain myself but I'm tired of hearing it. At 5 years old my father divorced my mother. He changed my name, hid me from her the best he could just to spite her. I remember when he met my stepmother and she made it very clear she would not raise children who were not her own. I remember shortly after that being taken by the State for my father did not want to lose my stepmother so he gave up his kids.

He told the state I had no living family members. So at 10 years old I was sent to boarding home after boarding home. No one wanted to adopt the 10 year old, they all wanted the new borns. For 6 years I lived in those boarding homes. 10 plus people sleeping in one room, packed in like sardines. Wearing the same 3 outfits I owned all week. I remember not eating for a day, two days or sometimes 3 days.

I remember never celebrating Christmas, no Thanksgiving dinner and never a single birthday celebration. Waking up every day praying for a miracle.

I remember being alone. I remember having no one to turn too. I remember having my back up against the wall and not a single person in my corner.

I became emancipated at 16 years old. I worked 4 part time jobs while I went to high school full time. I learned how hard it was to support myself. I went days without eating sometimes. It was eat 3 meals a day and not have a roof over my head or starve and survive. I turned my emotions into energy and became the man I am today.

So yes I fed a homeless guy and took the time, over an hour to get to know him better. I even took him to CVS to get him Motrin, a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoo, soap, nail clippers, razors and shaving cream. I also got him some new clothes, new shoes and a jacket. After all of that I got him a roof over his head and worked on helping him to get some cash.

I know what it's like to not know where your next meal is coming from or when it's coming. I know what it feels like to be hungry, weak and desperate. I know what it's like to be down on your luck. I know how it feels when the world has its back turned on you. I know all too well what it's like be overall in a really crappy position in life.

I battled some tough moments since I was 10 years old and raised myself. I did it because I'm human and care for my fellow human beings.