Yesterday, I had an unexpected experience that will never leave my heart. As I walked down the street, a homeless guy came up to me. His sad eyes and worn-out appearance made me feel sorry for him.
I gave him $50 more than he asked for because he asked for it. I could feel how grateful he was, but what happened next surprised me.
“Don’t you remember me?” he asked with a smile on his face. “I’m Ross, your high school classmate.”
I thought back to our past, shocked. I was thankful that Ross stood up for me when things were tough.
Ross told his story, which was about making bad decisions and feeling bad about them. He was on a bad road because of gangs, drug abuse, and living carelessly. His kids didn’t like him anymore, and he had thought about killing himself twice.
I listened carefully because I was deeply sad and understood. Even though we had similar starts, our lives had become very different.
I realised the difference was how we were raised. My parents, who were often called “strict,” set rules, made us follow them, and taught us good habits.
When I did something wrong, I got in trouble, but Ross was free and didn’t have to worry about results. My parents watched what I ate, told me not to do bad things, and told me how to speak properly.
That chance meeting made me value the advice my parents gave me. I became the person I am today because of their strong touch.
I thanked God for them because I knew that how strict they were was a good thing.
Ross’s story was a powerful lesson that parents need to be able to give their kids tough love every once in a while.
As I thought about our meeting, I realised that the decisions we make and the help we get can have a huge effect on our lives.
Ross’s story will always be a reminder of how much parents can teach their children and how important it is to be thankful for the people in our lives who make a difference.
