Adopted at birth and unknown to him until the age of eleven, the author, a child from the suburbs, was introduced to the street life by a trusted family member. From then until now, this book depicts a transcending life with many twists, secrets, and turns, including the horrific crime he committed at sixteen that landed him in prison for twenty-four years. In prison, Jonathan became a rose growing from concrete, developing into a mentor, teacher, and educator in one of the most violent states in America - Illinois. The home of Chicago, Peoria, Rockford and Aurora. In prison, the author was exposed to many sources of inspiration that gave him life, as well as a brutal attack that almost killed him. So, buckle up. This memoir is a saga of pain, yet a tale of redemption.