the perfect meal, but that's not everyone's reality.

And what's really important is not perfection....but thankfulness.

So I'm here with Darren, and we are downtown.

And I'm curious, Darren, how long have you been homeless?

About 4 or 5 years.

I have been on the street for probably about 3 months now.

Ok.

So this is really new for you then?

So, Sylvester, how long have you been homeless or out on the streets, man?

Uh, since July.

So what was it that led you to being homeless since July?

I lost my job.

Well, I have....was in drug addiction for years.

Well, I mean, I've spent a lot of time in prison.

Ok.

So that took away a lot of my life, but....

Was it drug related?

Or....

Basically, drug related.

Pretty much.

Yeah.

So um, you know I just....

How many years did you do?

All in all?

In and out?

16.

Holy cow!

What was your best Thanksgiving ever that you remember?

Oh man!

Thanksgiving?

Yeah!

What's the best one?

Uh, yeah, it was the year that my daughter was born.

Oh, wow!

What's her name?

Jennifer.

Ok. How old is she now?

13.

Do you see her at all?

Um, yeah. Every now and then, I do.

'89, cuz that's my last father's Thanksgiving.

Oh wow.

Ok.

So you got to spend Thanksgiving with him?

Thanksgiving is uh....oh no.

That's when my grandmother was living.

And she would say, "Everybody come!"

No matter....

Like Big Mama's House!?

Oh yeah. Ok.

My grandma was Big Mama!

Big Mama? Ok

You're bringing you, and the kids, and everybody coming on.

We're gonna eat, and then....we're gonna fellowship with each other!

And uh....and that was....I think that was....that's what really taught me about Thanksgiving.

It's, it's tough.

Maybe you're not gonna....do you think you'll see her at all this year?

Yeah, I'm going home this year to see her!

Are you really?

Yeah.

We'll that's awesome, man!

So what are you thankful for this year?

That I get to see her!!

Yeah?

That's awesome!

Look at that smile, man!

You have such crazy joy just emanating from you.

You're the perfect person to ask: what are you thankful for?

I am thankful for my family, and for my friends, and that I do have a place to stay at in this

ridiculous weather!

Just the friends I have when I come to these....down here under the bridge on Tuesday nights.

What are you thankful for, Clarence?

I'm thankful for my family.

And the Lord!

You know, I had to learn to love the Lord!

Is there anything, Randy, you know we're coming up into Thanksgiving and that time where....you

know Thanksgiving and what people are thankful for looks a little different to everybody.

Is there something that you're thankful for?

Yeah, I'm thankful waking up every day!

What am I thankful for?

Um, to be alive.

I thank the Lord for all the blessings there, and the mercy, and the grace that he gives

us!

What's something, Jimmy, that this year, you're thankful for?

I'm alive and well!

Haven't....you know, even though the streets....it's been hard, it hadn't brought me down.

I'm alive and still have hope!