IBeFree
You Don't Know Jack!!!
Registered: Nov 2000
Location: Burleson, Texas
Posts: 520 |
 From Where I Stand - Part I
OK…OK… it seems that I have been remiss in posting and introduction. While I have played in WOTA and chatted with some of you, I have remained somewhat distant – and watched your insanity in wonder. I am submitting this introduction in two parts – Installment One – Introduction. Installment Two - My Beliefs on Life.
From Where I Stand – Part 1
First and for the record – I am NOT Emerald… I am ME … IBeFree and she is she, and a wonderful person I might add. She is a great mother, delightful friend, excellent teacher, an engaging counselor and confidant. As a person she carries her own candle and has a spirit, which shines, from her own light from within, and not from walking in anyone else’s shadow.
I was born and raised in Southern California for most of my growing-up years and my family was at least as weird as any other – somewhere along the line I figured I didn’t have to make their mistakes all over again and went my own way.
I joined the Navy on my seventeenth birthday and by my eighteenth birthday had already traveled half way around the world and seen seven ports including Japan, Hong Kong, Guam and visited Hawaii. I spent just over seventeen years in the Navy before getting out. 10 commands (which included the USS Stark – which I helped to commission in 1982, and one command which I don’t like to talk about publicly), 6 cruises, 5 conflicts, 32 countries, and 49 states later, I like to think I have learned a few things about life and people. I still have many friends from those days, a thousand wonderful memories, and a million dollar education, which was shoved up my ass one nickel at a time. I wouldn’t trade one moment of those 17 years for anything – nor would I ever go back again. It was an exciting and rewarding time in my life, but it was time to leave.
I have started two businesses here in Texas, both failed (or succeeded depending on if the cup is half full, or half empty – and the lessons learned from them) and considering starting a third soon. Much of the last 24 years have been spent in creative work in several fields, mostly doing research and development work in one fashion or another. During the last 3-4 years I have had the opportunity to combine my computer skills and mechanical skills into a field I dearly love – Robotics and Computer Control Systems. I hope to finish my degree soon in Computer Science and Biology.
All four of my children were born in Jacksonville, Florida – I have two daughters and one son living. My oldest daughter (17) lives here in Texas and my oldest son (15) lives with me now. The younger daughter (16) lives in California with her mom. The youngest of the kids, a son, was killed on Father’s Day “98”, by a drunk driver, he was 11 at the time. Tragic – most certainly, however, I have seen many positive outcomes from this single senseless tragedy. I choose to believe that good can and often does come from tragic events in our lives, IF WE ALLOW THEM. As a result, my kids and I are united once again. I have discovered an inner strength and faith, which I had never known. And discovered people whose lives have been changed for a common good unite, without extremism. Someday, perhaps a great topic would be “Drinking Drivers who kill”.
Today my life is rich and full, and I am a very grateful man indeed. I had my kids, Emerald and her kids with me for the Holidays – a Christmas that will live long in my heart. I am surrounded with people who love me. I have a wealth of wonderful friends, and sense a very bright and prosperous New Year ahead. I look forward to engaging debuts here in the Asylum with you people.
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"Each of us is an Unlimited Idea of Freedom"
(From: Jonathan Livingston Seagull)
- Richard Bach -
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12-31-2000 07:30 PM
