Fond Farewell

I've been reading over my last two posts and I'm all over the place. Let me put this out there, I'm a tad frantic about this whole situation, but I'm not going to allow myself to be too upset over something I cannot change. I'm moving to Georgia and I'll be starting a new chapter in my life. Although things might not be comfortable or how I would prefer them to be, I'm dedicated to making sure I survive this transition and I am focused on maintaining a positive attitude about it. Maybe my concerns are really just excuses? I'm going to be missing a lot of people that mean the world to me and maybe this is my way of trying to sabotage myself so I don't have to leave them? In reality, the situation is the same as it was 2 months ago, this is an opportunity for me to explore something different and make some money while doing it. As it creeps closer and I start to realize the gravity of this decision, I'm allowing that to enter my thoughts and it is clouding my judgment a little. Was it as bad as I thought down there? Probably not. I have a way of embellishing things, a poetic license if you will, to make this blog more interesting to you all. Yes the people talk funny, and yes they are kind of poor and uneducated, but that doesn't mean I'm going to hate it.

Last night was my brother Dan's graduation party (and kind of my Bon Voyage celebration) and I was surrounded by the people who mean the most to me. Seeing what I am going to miss on such a large scale is frightening. For the most part, people are supportive. At least it appeared that way. I was very drunk from the onset, so a lot of last night is fuzzy to me. Spending some time just relaxing and drinking and celebrating with friends and family was just was I needed after my last week down south. My batteries are re-charged and I'm now certain I can do this. What I have is a group of people who want to see me succeed and support me no matter the circumstance. I know that if I decide to come back in a year, my family and friends will welcome that decision as they have accepted me all these many years. I'm not one for goodbyes, especially tearful, drawn out ones, but I want to at least acknowledge some folks for their support and good wishes last night.

Brother Dan gets a nod for allowing me to share his spotlight last night. This kid is talented and going to make something of his life and I'm happy that I had something to do with shaping who he has become. (Even if he wants to deny this very fact.)

My boys The Weasel, Gabe, Jared and JV not only came out to show their love for me, but they were willing participants in celebrating Dan's graduation. I'm lucky to have a great bunch of friends. Although we don't hang out as often as we would like, we are family and I know that I got four motherfuckers who got my back.

The Ridge Boys for whom I had some tee shirts whipped up as a memento of our time together on the Ridge. I was lucky to have met Myers, Jeffs and Larry when I was down on my luck and in need of shelter a few years ago. They got an old man for a roommate and I got some more younger brothers to cheer on and try to help as best I can.

Since I'm not dying, merely moving to another state, I'll try to wrap this up...

Audrey used her talent to make me a wonderful gift that I will cherish for a long, long time. I'm going to miss both her and Noele immensely when I'm gone. Their words inspire me. Their generosity impresses me.

I'm a lucky fucking guy. That's all there is to it.