Blessed

Time flies when you are having fun.  If you look away for what seems to be a second years have gone by.  I still think of my self as that shy kid that doesn't want to do anything and is content living out his life in this small town.  Still living with his mom, living paycheck to paycheck not looking past the weekend.  Then I realize that man-child no longer exists.  Sure I still play games and look forward to the weekend but my life has changed.

My biggest change is that I want to live.  Back in the day I used to joke that I wanted to die at 40.  As with every joke there was a grain of truth.  I just didn't see a reason for me to go on living the life I had.  Then I met my wife and everything changed.  I had some one to share my joys, dreams, and even pains with.  I was no longer a lone soul but part of a team.  I stopped just getting by and starting living with meaning.

With her help and encouragement, we got rid of my credit card debt and actually started to save money.  We plan vacations and travel all over the country.  I never thought I would go to Canada to play a game with complete strangers but it is one of the greatest time of my life.  I never thought I would have friends half a country away that not only I continue to keep in touch but travel to see a few times a year.  Before I had trouble driving to the other side of the city to hang out with friends. 

I own a house.....

I still have a hard time believing this one.  This house is mine.  it is not my mom's or one I am renting.  I own property.  I still am speechless when I think about it.

My biggest change is that I am one half of a team.  I need to pull my own weight and help with my strengths to keep this team going.  While not technically a morning person I do find it easier to get up in the morning.  I take advantage of this by helping my wife in the morning.  A great man once told me one thing that has helped his marriage was every morning he wakes up and makes his wife her coffee. I have taken that advice to heart. Almost every morning, I wake my wife up and make her a big mug of coffee.  I know it helps her through the day and that makes it worthwhile.  

Looking back I can't believe that I was so ready to give up.  There is so much I would have missed that I didn't even know I wanted to do.  I am truly blessed and hope to continue on for many years.