The End Is Near - But Oh What A Beginning!

Once upon a time there was this lonely guy just going through life without any real purpose.  His meaning, his reason for waking up everyday was to simply exist.  Sure he had friends, he had a good job, and he had a nice roof over his head.  Hell, he even had a great dog, who answered to Dante.  What he wanted and needed at that time, had eluded him for the last half decade.  What he wanted and needed so desperately, was to be loved by someone.  What he.....I....wanted, was a companion.

I had almost given up hope of finding someone special to share my life.  I had been in a good relationship turned bad that ended 6 years before, and I just figured that was my chance, and I blew it.  Then, one day, while I was desperately seeking a pet sitter for Dante, I got a call from a friendly voice.  "Do you need someone to check on your dog while you're gone" were the words that were spoken, but what I heard was "I am an angel sent from heaven to lead you from the darkness and inspire your life"

When I answered the door that afternoon, I was hardly prepared for what I saw.   I'm sure you've seen all of these cheesy movies and read these silly books talking about love at first sight, but nobody ever believes them.  This is especially true with a person like me. I can however, tell you unequivocally, my heart skipped a beat, and I knew right then and there I had met the girl of my dreams.

As we introduced ourselves to each other, and got the initial formalities out of the way, I was as nervous as one could be.  How do I convince this angel that I'm the one?   Sure, it's way too early to be thinking like that, but I just couldn't help myself.  I just knew.

Listen, I'll be the first to tell you, I'm not some Casanova.  I'm a nice guy, well spoken, with a heart as big as they come.  I figured I would never have a chance at a young lady as pretty and nice as Lori, but I knew that this might be my only chance, and no matter what I was going ask her out.  So, that's what I did.....right then and there.  I was floored when she said......yes.

We spent that day together, had dinner, and went to a fireworks display that evening.  It was so perfect I had to pinch myself to make sure that I wasn't dreaming.  I took her back to her apartment that night, gave her a big hug and a peck on the cheek at the front door, and as I was walking away, I swear my feet weren't even touching the ground.  

I called everyone I knew, and told them about the angel that I found.  I wasted no time calling her back the next day, and then spent the next couple of months, trying to convince her to get out of the long distant relationship that she was currently in with someone else, and move in with me.  Again, I knew instantly that she was the girl that I was going to marry, and if I would have had enough money to buy a ring at that time, I would have asked her to marry me then.  I'm not sure at that time she would have said yes, but that would not have stopped me from trying.

As it turned out, I was able to convince Lori that I was indeed special, and she moved into my house a few months later.  We were a match made in heaven, and I was so proud the first time I took her to meet my mother and father.  I had one of those "yeah, that's right, look what I was able to do" grins on my face the entire time.  Lori of course hit it off right away with my family, and they treated her like a daughter from day one.

We spent the next 12 months together almost inseparable.  Exactly one year to the day of our initial meeting, I received the horrible news that my father had passed away.  I was devastated, and I thank the Lord every day that Lori was there by my side when I received the terrible phone call.  She was my crutch, and strength, and only with her unending compassion was I able to pick myself up and function.  

To this day, I am thankful that dad went to his maker knowing that I had truly found happiness, and Lori was one day going to be my bride.  It is only with his help, in the form of some inheritance, that I was finally able to have enough money to be able to afford a ring.  I guess you could say that I owe my dog Dante, and my dad, a debt that can never be repaid.  They allowed me to meet, and ultimately ask my angel for her hand in marriage.

I now had the money I needed for a ring, so the next order of business was to ask her dad Steve, for her hand.  I know, that's an old and mostly ignored ritual now days, but I am old school, and felt like it was the right thing to do.  We had a trip planned to see her parents at their farm in Tennessee, so I figured that was as good a time as any.  Although I got along outstandingly with both Lori's parents, I was so nervous before I spoke with Steve I though I was going to faint.  I didn't, and when he said yes, I was soaring through the clouds.  "This might actually happen" is all I could think about.  God I hoped she would say yes.

One night, after spending an evening watching Cinderella with Lori, I dropped down to one knee, swallowed the enormous lump in my throat, grabbed her hand and looked into those beautiful brown eyes, and asked her to spend the rest of her life with me.  I found myself wiping away a river of joyful tears from my face as soon as the word "yes" came from her lips.  Somehow, I had convinced this angel sent straight from heaven, to marry me.

To be continued........

William

Good Things Are Coming

I am 47 years old, and I have never been as lonely and stressed as I am right now.  I wake up every morning (when I can actually sleep) hoping that I have been in a terrible dream.  You can not imagine how disheartening it is to figure out that I have in fact not been dreaming, and my worst nightmares are true.

I have done my best trying to handle this awful situation with Lori with dignity and poise.  I have put on a brave face and front for all of my friends, my family, and most importantly my children.  It is difficult beyond words, for my anguish is stifling.

I am really at my wit's end.  I am being forced to get a divorce I do not want.  I am actively and aggressively seeking a good paying job that will allow me to live close to my children, but I'm having no success so far. 

With a trial date looming one week from today, the stress of losing the love of my life, my children, my home, and all I have ever wanted or worked for is almost unbearable.   Suffocating.

What am I going to do?  I simply don't know.  I have always been a fighter, but this opponent, this situation, currently has my number.   

I am trying to stay positive.  I have always believed, and I have always been told that "good things happen to good people".  I still cling to that belief like it's a life preserver.   I have to.

I am as good a person as you will ever meet.  That might come across as arrogant to some, especially ones who have never met me, but the ones that know me will tell you it's true.  I  know that I have built up enough good Karma to last a lifetime, and it will pay dividends.    

With Lori stating that she has "moved on", I am now very ready to start my new life.  It will be very different, but I am now actually looking forward to it.  I have so much to offer, and it will be exciting seeing what new wants, dreams and desires come to fruition . Believe me when I tell you.....I have plenty.  It might take me a little while to get the wheels turning again, but I can guarantee that once I start rolling, I will be both happy and successful.  There is no doubt. 

I will live my life well, and "good things" are coming.   I can feel it.

William

It's Who I Am

Today was the first father's day since becoming one, that I did not wake up to Lori's beautiful face.  It was certainly difficult.  That beautiful face and the beautiful person behind it is the reason that I became a dad after all.  Still, the kids did everything they could to make me feel special, and I am lucky to have them in my life.

Being a father defines me.  It's who I am.   I work hard at it, and every minute that I spend with the kids makes my life better.  I feel like I am a great dad, and I'm proud of the job that I have done with Christopher and Aidan.  Aidan is growing into a fine young man, and Christopher is trying to be more and more like him each and every day.  Each is very special in their own way, and I would not change a thing about them.  I love them more than anything in this world.

For Father's Day, we spent the weekend in Temple with my mom and brother.  I am glad that the boys got to see their Grandma and Uncle.  It had been far too long since we were there.  I only wish that my father was still alive.  I would have loved to give him a father's day hug, and watch him play with his grand children.  He would be proud, and they would love my pop.

Happy Father's Day dad, and Happy Father's day to me too.  You taught me well.

William

Party Time!

Well, schools finally out.  I say finally, but in reality, it seems like it just started.  I'm sure if you asked the boys about that, they would say that I was nuts.  It's funny how differently time is perceived when you are young.

Last Friday marked the final school day, so I decided to attend Christopher's kindergarten end of the year party.  Let me tell you, there is nothing like spending a sweaty hot morning outside with 125 screaming, sugar fueled 5 and 6 year old kids.  Whatever they pay those dear teachers, it's not enough.

Christopher really had a blast while I was there.  It started off with a hula hoop contest.

Fortunately, Christopher didn't win.  I don't know, it would just bother me for some reason if my son was the "hula hoop champion".  Luckily, there were a couple of little girls in his class that had spent far too long learning the delicate art of keeping a hula hoop spinning.  I started to think that we might be there for the entire day waiting for the contest to end.  I think one of the final two girls just got bored, or spent too long staring at the awaiting ice cream truck.  She finally just stopped.  Once that happened, the other girl stopped, and it was time for the "limbo line".

Watching 5 and 6 year old kids do the "limbo" is just downright funny.  It would probably be a good idea the next time to actually explain to the kids what you are supposed to do.  As it happened, they just told the kids to "go under the bar without hitting it".  Well, Christopher certainly improvised.

Hey, as far as he knew, he was well within the rules, and he certainly did not touch the bar.  Way to go quick thinker!!!

Next, it was time for the class picture.   Hmmm.....lets see........last day of school.......minimum supervision.........okay kids....say cheese.....

After the class picture, the kids went to the ice cream truck, and picked out their favorite frozen treats.  Christopher of course gravitated to the Pink (Strawberry) Blue Bell ice cream cup.  Did you have any doubt?  As he was enjoying his pink prize, his teacher Mrs Strange, stopped by to tell him how much she was going to miss him.  It was sweet.

I left shortly after their ice cream break.  Hey, they were hyper enough before the treat break, I did not want anything to do with the aftermath.

Saturday rolled around and that meant Aidan's post season tournament was starting.  He had a 10:30am game against a pretty good team, The Indians.  The Indians lead the league in hitting and runs scored.  The Express would have to play an error free game to advance.  Aidan got the start on the mound and everything was going well until.........the second batter.  Yep, 4 pitches 1 out on the first batter, and then the errors started.  I can tell you, nothing gets to Aidan more than throwing great pitches and getting batters to hit little slow rollers that the infielders boot.  It happened over and over.  Aidan pitched two innings, and struck out 4.  The team ended up losing 12-5.  The season was over.

Because the season was over, that meant the team could have their "end of the season" party.  They were all pretty excited about that.  We had the party at the neighborhood pool of one of his teammates.  Everybody had lots of fun, and ate lots of pizza.  Here is Aidan after he knocked a little three year old girl off her floaty and stole it from her..............................no not really.......but it looks like it....;-)

Christopher and mom were enjoying the cool water on a really hot day.

Congratulation Aidan on your team's 3rd place finish.  I love your new trophy!

Thanks for keeping me so young guys.

William

Summer Blues

Hard to believe that there is only 5 days of school left until the boys are out for the summer.  Geesh, this school year flew by so quickly.  It's crazy that Christopher will be a 1st grader, and Aidan will be going into middle school.  Wow, they grow up so fast.

This will mark the first summer in 5 years that I will not be responsible for taking care of the boys.  (Well, 5 for Aidan.  Last summer was Christopher's first)  With the divorce unfortunately moving forward, I am trying desperately to find gainful employment.  It means that I can't look after the kids.  The kids will now be spending the summer at the YMCA.

I will forever look back at the past 5 summers with incredible happiness.  Very few parents get to experience what it's like to spend months in a row with their children doing nothing but teaching and bonding.  I know the kids are going to look back someday, and realize just how lucky they had it.   I know I'll be doing it daily, and I'll miss it immensely.

This past weekend Aidan played is last regular season baseball game.  His team won 13-3, and Aidan had a really good game.  2-2 at the plate, and threw out a runner at home from third base.  It was sweet!  The team went 9-2-1 for the year, and got third place.  Not bad, but the tie should never have happened.  Oh well, now they just need to play good ball next weekend in the post season tournament, and try to win the championship!  I can't wait.

I finally took the time to clean up my truck.  Old Blue has been with me now for a little over 13 years.  I know, that's a long time for a vehicle.  I had not been giving him the love and respect he deserves lately, so I made sure to take my time and give him the proper care he deserves.  I washed and wax the truck, and cleaned the interior spotless.   You would be hard pressed to find a better looking 13 year old vehicle.

Check out the 13 year old "mirror"

Yep, that is taken down the side of the truck, and the house in the picture is a reflection in the paint.

Look at that shine!

Spotless!

I love my truck.  Oh, eventually, when I can afford it, I will get a new vehicle.  That being said, I will not be getting rid of Old Blue.  He will just be and extra vehicle.  He is a part of me and the family now.

William