This time of year is supposed to be merry, but for many it is anything but.  Various studies show that anywhere between 19 and 45 percent of people worry or get depressed during the holidays.  Tonight, I want you to meet a man who's been there and he's more than survived what he calls "A Ragamuffin Christmas."

He may be building cabinets, but what he's really doing is building a future.

Craig Daliessio, former homeless man says, "By may of 2008  I had no money coming in and I didn't close anymore loans and I was homeless.

Craig Daliessio just spent the last three and a half years homeless after the housing bust dissolved his successful career as a mortgage broker--- and the economy spiraled into a deep recession.

He says, "I lived in my car I had a Volvo 850 and I'm 6 ' 4" and it's not comfortable and the seats don't lay down flat.  There's things you take for granted like turning over in your sleep at night.

From sleeping in his car.... to eating samples at Costco  the Franklin  man knows  what it's like to hit rock bottom.

He says, "I didn't  look homeless.  The gym membership at the rec center is very reasonable for a single person.  It's $150 a year so you know I could take a shower and I could clean up.   I would put out resumes.. on internet walk around look for a job.  I had no money I was getting unemployment but gas was $4.50 a gallon then and I was in the habit of eating every other day. and so things were pretty bad."

It was during this time of introspection and lonliness that Daliessio began writing.   The result?  A Ragamuffin Christmas.  

Daliessio says, "I want to express the love and grace of God to people that are like me.  People that grew up without their dad,  people that went through a  painful divorce, people that were homeless. People  that miss their dog.. their time with their kids..

That's what this single Dad misses most... time with his daughter. "She couldn't spend the night.  I didn't  have the money to do much."

As  you see, Daleissio is now doing construction,  hoping his inspirational writing career takes off.  He's on the other side of homelessness and he wants his his full circle struggle to help others.

Daliessio just completed his online degree at Liberty University and is starting seminary at the beginning of the year.   He's visiting churches and groups throughout the holiday season sharing his story of hope.  To book him or to checkout his book, go to Fox17.com and click on Foxlinks.                                                    

A Ragamuffin Christmas