Thanksgiving is a great holiday and I believe everyone has things to be thankful for. I have so much treasure- good people in my life, a roof overhead and food on the table. I’m rich.

A lot of people where I work have been talking about tough times past and they were surprised to hear that I had at one time been homeless. It’s not really something you brag about. It was a long time ago now, more than 25 years, so I don’t remember it so vividly.

I don’t remember the hunger and the pains – or maybe i do, maybe they are always in the background, making me most thankful for the blessings I have currently.

Homelessness was a thing that just kind of happened. I lost my job. I couldn’t afford rent. I ended up on the street and then out in the country in a tent by a lake.

The street was not fun. I was in a big city and there were a lot of homeless. It was very competitive. Guys would spend all day waiting in line at the soup...