Forgiveness Is Something You Earn
By Adrian Canseco
When my family no longer cared about me and kicked me out of the house at the age of 16, I had to look for shelter however I could. Some days I would sleep under the freeway under a tree and sometimes I wouldn’t even sleep because of fear of being jumped.
I’ll take you back 3 weeks earlier. October 3rd to be exact. I was walking down the street. I looked up at the stars and assumed it was 4:00 am. I had $5.00 in my pocket; I felt rich. I was planning on spending the money on a corn dog from the local gas station. Anyway, I was on a main road, then 3 people came up to me and pointed knives at my direction, I looked at the person to my right and saw a familiar car pass by and I see my brothers in the car. I thought to myself and hopped they would help with my bandit’s situation, but they just passed.
After they passed, the bandits yelled at me and said, “Give me all your crap”.
I responded, “I don’t have any belongings, leave me alone.”
I felt a punch. Then, 2 of the bandits grabbed my arms.
The third one told me, “Are you sure!”
They searched me and found my money. They took the money, then kicked me and ran off.
Now it is October 26th. I am found by my grandpa who didn’t know I was homeless.
He said, “What are you doing here Sunny?”
I responded, “I live here.”
He says, “What? Come in the car.”
He takes me to his house, he tells me to shower while he goes and buys new clothing for me. He calls my family to come and see me. After 2 hrs, I hear the sound the rocks being moved by tires, they have arrived at my grandpa’s house.
They come in and say, “Please forgive us son, I beg you”.
I say, “I hold no rancor, but I won’t forgive ya’ll.”
My family starts crying then my grandpa says, “It’s better if ya’ll leave”.
When they leave, my grandpa says you made the correct choice.
He tells me, “You can live here as long as you want. All you have to do is find a job”.
I respond “thank you”.
He responds, “No problem,” and shuts the main house door.