Family
Why I’ll Never Return To That Negative Self-Talk State Of Mind
*Trigger warning: substance abuse, sexual abuse. Today I live my life in the present with courage, purpose, and confidence in who I am, what I want, and why I want it. I am the Sunrise Warrior and my struggle is my strength. But it wasn’t always this way. It took work to get here. Not…
Read MoreI Know the Story I Want To Tell, But Which One Will He Hear?
I have something I am ready to share with someone I value in my life. I have a story of mentorship, hope, and appreciation I want to tell. But is that what he will hear? How do I craft my message? This post is about sorting shit out in my brain. I seem to do…
Read MoreNo More Excuses. A Day In My Life As A Dad At One Hundred Percent!
Two of my kids were competing in a swim meet recently at our township pool. It was a great event and I had fun watching all the kids compete. My two swimmers, who aren’t the strongest swimmers on the team, did well and improved on their personal bests in five of their six races. Setting…
Read MoreRest In Peace, Dad. I Hope They Have Grape Jellies In Heaven!
Early Loss I find myself thinking about my dad often lately. He’s been dead for forty-four years, but it’s like he has been sitting next to me these last couple of years. I was six and my little brother was one when my dad died. My mother was a stay-at-home mom when he passed, but…
Read MoreI Love Roller Coasters! The Tale Of Three Experiences
Who Doesn’t Like Roller Coasters? My sunrise is much bigger than gaining control of my physical health. It’s about living with a healthy mind, body, and spirit. It has become woven into the inner fabric of my life. When my oldest child was born fourteen years ago, I became the fun parent. The one who…
Read MoreThe Man Who Scares Me Most Is Me. Will I Become A Monster, Too?
Nightmares of my Monster and Triggers Here is the fear that haunted me for so many years of my life…Will I one day become a pedophile like the monster who molested me? There is a popular myth that most pedophiles are victims of child molestation themselves. Did my molestation predispose me to this life sentence?…
Read MoreGoodbye Mom. I’m Glad We Finally Met After All These Years!
My Big Decision – Telling My Mom Ten months ago: I’m on my way to work and I have a strong urge to drive to the cemetery and visit my mom. I have this undeniable feeling that my mother is trying to send me a message from beyond. I felt a similar urge to visit…
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