GrinchyNet

Yep, that is right. Tomorrow I will be 33. Not that any of you who stop by here really cares except maybe for my family but I thought I would share anyway.

If you were to ask me at the age of 19 if I would ever make it to the age of 33, I would have answered no without hesitation. I was in a different place then and it wasn't a very good one. The lifestyle I had chosen only had a couple of possible endings and neither of them very good ones. It took a lot of courage and support from my family to overcome that dark period. It also took some very hard decisions on my part. The path I chose was not a simple and easy one and to be standing where I am today it is sometimes hard to believe I made it.

A lot of crap has gone on since my last birthday. Some good and some not good at all. It has been a rough year, I wish I could say that none of the roughness is my fault but if I did that I would be lying. I've made mistakes, some pretty big ones that I wish I could take back. I've disappointed people I love dearly. It's unfortunate that I haven't been the nicest of guys over the years.

All of this has made me make some adjustments, so far I think things are getting better. There is still a lot to overcome. There is still a lot of healing to go through. Of course there are still adjustments to make. But one thing I have learned about myself in my 33 years of life and that is I am capable of anything I set my mind to. If I wasn't I wouldn't be here writing this.

I'd like to mention a couple of things that have greatly affected me and made me rethink quite a few things.

• The movie Fireproof
• The book "The Shack"

If you haven't seen the movie or read the book I strongly recommend them. Coming from me, for those that know me personally, that is a strange recommendation but it is one I make faithfully.

I'm going to end this melancholy birthday announcement by thanking my wife for being there for me and not giving up. I'd also like to thank my parents for the encouragement they have given.

Happy birthday to me.