Rock stars, actors and writers, by their very nature, seem to be among those most willing to endure homelessness in pursuit of better things. I think creative people recognize the fact that homelessness is a place on our path, and not our destiny. I strongly believe that. For some, homelessness and life on the streets may be THEIR destiny, but it is not the iron-clad destiny of everyone who IS homeless. Just ask (if you could) one of America’s Founding Fathers - Alexander Hamilton.

Born out of wedlock and orphaned at a young age, Hamilton could have easily accepted the gruel life threw on his plate. His mother was married to an older German Jewish merchant when she met James, the man who fathered Alexander and his brother. Alexander’s mother died of a severe fever around the time Hamilton was about 12 years old, leaving him orphaned. Because his parents weren’t married, he was considered a bastard (illegitimate birth) and not allowed to attend the Christian Church School - but instead attended a Jewish School.

So, orphaned and impoverished at the age of 12, Hamilton didn’t give up. According to the Encyclopedia, (NOT Wikipedia) the brilliant, ambitious youth arrived in the North American colonies late in 1772 and studied (1773-74) at King’s College (now Columbia). In the troubled times leading to the American Revolution, he wrote articles and pamphlets espousing the colonial cause so well that the works were popularly attributed to John Jay .

In the war he became a captain of artillery, attracted George Washington’s notice, and, as Washington’s secretary and aide-de-camp, performed invaluable services. Desiring more active duty, he left Washington’s staff in 1781 and performed brilliantly in the field at Yorktown. His marriage to Elizabeth Schuyler, daughter of Gen. Philip J. Schuyler , connected him with an old and powerful New York family. He practiced law in New York City and was a member of the Continental Congress .

He may have been homeless, orphaned and destitute at one time, shuffled around from family to family when he wasn’t on his own, but he didn’t let his circumstances define him. He rose above them. His focus was on where he was going, not where he was.

When people ask me how I got through all I did and all I am going through now, the answer is the same. I know who I am - a writer. I know where I am going and living in a van and traveling from state to state is part of my journey. I am fortunate to have good friends in every state who share their homes with me while I look for where I want to put down roots (right now I think it’s still Virginia).

Whatever YOUR situation is, domestic violence, orphaned, poverty, job loss, run-away, foster child, orphan, serious illness…don’t let IT define YOU. You are NOT your situation. You are more. You matter. Don’t forget that. Hamilton didn’t. Neither did any of the “famous homeless” on this website.