The hardest part was leaving

The year was 2000 and I was faced with a very difficult decision. In fact the hardest decision I've ever had to make. Although my answer was clear to me, it was the outcome of my decision that was gnawing underneath my skin. In 1997, I got a call from a guy I knew through some of my guitar playing buddies and was asked if I would be interested in playing in a band. I knew these guys were good so I gladly accepted. After all, they had a CD out and were going to Brazil and many other places to play that following year. To make a long story short, after traveling back and fourth a couple of years two nights a week and on the weekends, a window of opportunity opened for me and I took it- but that meant moving out and relocating. I was on cloud 9 but the thought of leaving mom behind was eating right through me. Mom had already been through so many years with dad and his heart and then cancer with her next husband to where I wanted be there for her when ever she needed me. I was ready to take her with me but she would remain at the house I will forever know as my home I grew up in. That decision I made- to go forward with my dreams changed my life forever. I got to go places and do things that I only dreamed of- and had some of the best times of my life. I have always heard to follow your heart and your dreams and that is what I did. To this day I believe that decision is why I am here writing this to you. Who knows if I would have stayed home.... hindsight is 20/20.

I went through a bit of a mess before I met Shelly and thought my life was turning out to be worthless but through the good and the bad of it all I made it. I often find myself wondering why I had to go through some of the things I went through to get to where I am now. I dunno... I guess that was just my lot in life. I do know this, I want to live my life to it's fullest potential- to live a legacy-leaving nothing behind.... who knows maybe I can even be an inspiration to someone. If there is one thing I have learned in this life it would be to believe in yourself and follow your heart and your dreams and the rest will follow. Even when you go through the messed up times in your life- never give up and always believe.