Tears of Abundant Gratitude

My grandfather came back from the war to meet his 3 year old son, Phil for the first time. 

I can't even imagine what that must have been like... for him or for his son...

I really feel obligated to share this with you... it will give you full permission to be yourself. 

Oscar Wilde once said, "Be yourself, everyone else is taken," and you know what...my Grampy used to kiss his left shoulder, smile and say "I love me!". 

That's a powerful message for a little boy, but I missed the memo, I was too wrapped up in my addiction. 

I was feeling very, very emotional. It was 7:30 in the morning, which is pretty much the busiest time of day here, getting the kids fed, and ready for school.... but I'd just seen an old photograph on social media of two soldiers from WWII... and I was compelled to talk to you, to share this with you...

It was as if something literally pushed me to do it! 

Note: You might want a box of tissues...

I wanted to share one more story with you. When I was about 10 years old, I gave my grandfather a dollar bill. He knew how important that dollar was to me, so he pinned it over his computer... and it stayed there until the day he died!

I remember helping to break down his apartment after his funeral, and everyone wanted to know what the deal was with the dollar and I just smiled! 

After he passed I learned that he received a bronze star for his bravery... Grampy didn't give a crap about that... but he was damn proud of my dollar!

-Dave

P.S. His first son, my uncle Phil, would eventually become one of the most influential people in my teens, a very dark time in my life. He single-handedly taught me how to write, by taking the time out of his day to respond thoughtfully to every single email I ever sent. I swear I couldn't figure out a sentence before Uncle Phil came into my life, and now I'm a published author...

He also learned that from Grampy and I couldn't see that until today. 

So... please... TRUST THE (RECOVERY) PROCESS!!!