My father left me and my mother when I was about 4 years old. We were very poor growing up. We lost the house and my mother struggled to keep food on the table. I qualified for free meals in school but I remember going to bed hungry sometimes. There were times when all we had were clothes on our backs.
Not just in retrospect but even at the time we were struggling, I had the best childhood a kid could ever have. My mother was always there for me. I never wanted or needed anything. My imagination turned the most mundane things into exciting toys. Doing homework was a great pastime for me.
I graduated law school and am taking the bar soon. I have a wonderful girlfriend that I will propose to this year. I’m glad my mother is young enough to enjoy me being able to give her the life that I will be able to provide for her now.