When 2009 rang into existence I had been in my new house for only 2 months. That came with a lot of change, ups and downs, and the transition to the responsibilities of being a home owner. We have been here for just a hair over a year, and I feel very fortunate to be in the position I am in at this time.
As the year began, I had no idea the changes that were in store for me. My music began to take a turn for the better, as I began to improve and see the benefits of that work. I started playing in a few other bands and saw opportunities in LA that I hadn't imagined I'd see, and I am very grateful for those opportunities. Trips in May and beyond were fun and were the breeding grounds for many of the ridiculous one liners I have been spitting out all year.
June was the month of my marriage to Kelly, my beautiful and loving wife. The planning process was pretty smooth, and I was very much looking forward to tying the knot in beautiful Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. This was the same place that a year before I had asked Kelly to marry me, and now fast approaching was the wedding. It was a great trip with friends and family, and I, and we, am so thankful that they could share it with us. This very same trip that brought so much happiness also brought nerve damage to my hip that is with me to this day! Oh well, that's the cost of doing business.
Upon returning home a month later I found myself without employment, as many people have found themselves across the country. At that point I was caught off guard, and it was one of the biggest blessings in disguise that I could have imagined. I sat down and thought about where I'd been in my life, and where I wanted to go, and IT didn't seem to be in the picture as each scenario played through my mind. I had gone from wanting to be a musician and music teacher, to joining the military and just about leaving music behind me in a past life. Now I had found myself rediscovering my passion of music, and remembering the other dreams I had left behind.
So I found myself applying for school and embracing the path of a new career. Computers had been my field in the military, it had been my career since 2001, and it got me this far in my life. Without IT I wouldn't have the home I'm in now. It had gotten me to this point, but wasn't giving me the one thing I needed most, which was purpose. From that realization I decided to return to school full time and pursue a career in education.
The start of a new school year also brought the hard reality that Grace was going to be spending the school year with her mom in the Seattle area. It was truly crushing to say goodbye to her, which it always is, but this time was different. This time was the beginning of a new chapter of all of our lives. Grace being school aged means that our time together may be less frequent, and our relationship may even change. A lot of tears were shed in the following days, and I knew I had to do something about it.
I then found myself starting the Veterans organization on campus, and working as a senator in the student government. This experience gave me the preoccupation that I needed, and also revealed a passion that I never thought I had. Working with, and for, Veterans. My military had been a collection of ups and downs, and I was ready to get out when my time had come. Now I found myself remembering the friends I'd made, the relationships I had forged, and the camaraderie that I once shared with others. This endeavor has been very challenging, very time consuming and straight up hard at times, but I'm glad that I did it.
This year also has brought the pregnancy of my much anticipated little boy. This has been a great experience for myself, Kelly, and our family. And I'm truly lucky to have a family like hers as my in-laws, and as time goes on I have felt less like we're family "by law", and more like a family by fate. Our differences, although difficult at times, make us who we are. A family.
This has been a great year or me, and I hope that I am around for many more. I appreciate those that have been here to share it with me. To my Gracie, Kelly, family and friends, I love you all, and here's to a better 2010.
