Trying to encompass all there is to know about me on a single page on the innerwebz is a stretch but I’ll do my best to orient you to the important things. I’m from that niche part of Gen X that they call Xennials because we grew up in an era where we bridged both generations. I grew up frequenting all night diners and an array of coffee shops across Buffalo, NY. Winters were long, boring, cold, and I didn’t have much of an expendable income. That led to a lot of time frequenting the library and investing in the bottomless cup of coffee. I developed a love of reading and writing. Unfortunately to the duress of my high school English teachers, adequate grammar and spelling failed to integrate with my love of writing. Some how some way I managed to get into a prestigious creative writing program but couldn’t manage to pay for it…
In the end I wound up serving in the Marine Corps and found a bit of a home there. After 17 years of service I went on my way with the experiences that weigh heavy on a person. I lost friends over seas and continued to lose them at home. Now, when I say friends, that kind of friendship and bond is different, it’s more akin to family. The loses were heavy and continuous. The weight I carried brought me to the brink of breaking, and I nearly did, then got some help.
Since then, the path of recovery has been a wild one. Service dogs, kiddos, a loving relationship, college degrees, great jobs, infuriating jobs, reading, writing, hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, yoga, retreats, vacations, life, and life of life’s terms… not mine.
There’s been sweat and tears… a lot of tears. It’s been hard, so damned hard, but worth it. It’s not easier, but I’ve gotten better at managing it all. All with one goal in mind. To be a little better every day. That looks different every day… some days, my little better, is simply having my cup of coffee, or 3, and getting through the day. Other days, I manage to revamp an entire website. It all varies and I take it as it comes and I’m grateful for each and every moment.
To stop talking about what a good man is like, and just be one. ~Marcus Aurelius
As you read through the posts and see any growth I can only hope you’ll find something in my journey that gives you some inspiration, ignites hope, or just gives you a little more insight.
Breathe in, let it out, take a sip, and keep wandering…
