“I learned how to play chess in the state penitentiary. Guys there played it all day to pass the time and keep their minds going. I watched them and started learning. I traded my breakfast tray  for chess lessons. I will lose two out of three games, but I will win one.

 Playing chess is complicated. The pawns are the first to move. When I wake up in the morning, if I don’t praise God, my day doesn’t go right. That’s my first move. Each move on the chess board has a counter move. It’s the same with life. If you make a move in life, there will also be an obstruction. You may not want to get up and go to work in the morning, but you have to think about the next moves. If I don’t work, I don’t get paid, and I love to eat.

I came from a good home, and my parents gave me a good raising, but I always wanted to go to the left. If there was violence or trouble, I was in the middle of it. When I entered the state penitentiary, I had little understanding about life, but being there taught me to grow up. It taught me how to take care of myself and to respect and understand other people. It also taught me how to have a conversation. You and I being able to talk and understand each other with no animosity is a beautiful thing. 

I was married for 38 years. My wife died in my arms from a brain aneurysm. She was the most precious thing in my life and she is the reason I am still alive. I had someone who showed me love eight days a week, morning and night, but I should have bent over backwards more for her.  I lost it when she died. I went from 248 pounds to 177 pounds in 40 days. I have slowly gotten better.

I work for a temp service right now. I get there at 4:30 every morning trying to get work. I get a job two or three days a week. I am earning money for my TWIC card so I can get steady work and back on my feet. My dad worked 33 years and eight months on one job. He only missed 13 days of work. I have that in me, too. 

I haven’t eaten anything today, but that’s okay,  I appreciate it when I do eat. If I ever have to ask someone in front of a restaurant to buy me a sandwich or a bag of chips, I ask for a way to help them. Can I wipe down their car or do something to show my appreciation? I don’t want to take anything for free. 

Yesterday I had $7, and a woman at McDonalds asked me to buy her a cheeseburger. I gave her half of what I had. You never know what a person is going through. I will give all I have to put a smile on your face and to make you feel better.”