My life so far

It's cold, but I've been colder

So far, it's been 31 years of good times, laughter, happiness, and joy, albeit with a little bit of sadness and sorrow thrown in. I mean, you can't have cake all the time. Sometimes you need a bitter herbal tea to give the palate something to do. Nevertheless, on the grand scheme of things, it has been a good life... a blessed life.

I can't say that I have ever known hunger. In fact, if I dare say that now, I am really afraid of the consequences. Standing at 6 feet tall with a few extra pounds on me, I cannot compare myself with the starving, sick people living in places as near as Appalachia and as far as Cambodia or Africa. It just would not be fair or right for me to do so. And that is why I say my life has been blessed. I have come to know of the horrors of hunger by third-hand accounts, not by first-hand experience, thankfully.

I still have my parents and my siblings with me. Just last year, not too long ago, one of my cousins was horribly murdered on the street because of a carjacking gone wrong. His brother and sister must have lost a little bit of themselves when that happened. So, while I know that life is fragile and could go at any moment... at any moment... I have been blessed to see my younger brother grow into a productive young man and my little sister growing up to be an accomplished musician, dancer, and all around great girl.

Likewise, I have been blessed to know my parents. Mom raised me up during the school months, while Dad did so during vacations and holidays. It was a good arrangement. I learned a lot from both sides, like how to fix things physical and non-physical, how to deal with people, and how to be a good person. They did a good job, I believe. I've been away from drugs, alcohol, poisonous relationship. I don't have a police record, and I can barely remember the last time I was in any sort of "real" trouble.

And then there is the love of my life, The Girl. Sure, I've been in love before, but never has that love been so strong, so good for me, and so full of... well... love. We're getting married this coming year, and I can't wait for it. It's going to be a great party, and we're going to be a great couple. We're going to be real happy like. :-)

My life so far has been real good.