I Refuse To Go To The Grave Without Telling My Story

Posted on 01/19/2015

I want to thank Angelo Parker for helping me find the courage to tell the world why and for providing me with the missing pieces to my story.

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” ~ Mark Twain

That is my absolute favorite quote of all time.  The purpose of life for every living being is to discover the reason for their existence.  We are all small in the grand scheme of things, but our presence could leave such a large impact that we are impossible to forget.  What better day to recognize this, than on Martin Luther King Day?  He walked the Earth for but 39 years, but his presence will live on forever.  I'm not saying that each of us will have an impact of that magnitude, but we can each, most definitely leave our mark on this world.

 I am so thankful that I discovered, WHY I AM HERE.  About 2 years ago, I began hearing the whisperings of the Universe.  I heard what has been repeated to me my whole life, starting with the voice of my mother.  She always told me that my way of speaking to others would someday allow me to touch the lives of a multitude of people.  Over the years, I have been told countless times that I have a gift for talking to people, whether it is counseling people, speaking to troubled youth or just talking to my friends and family.  Over the past 2 years, I have come to accept what so many have told me, but I didn't feel that I could be effective without sharing my whole truth.  My biggest fear has been that I would pass on or go to the grave without sharing my full story. 

Three weeks ago, I received a call from one of my old Marine Corp buddies, Angelo Parker.  I hadn't spoken to him in 24 years. Unbeknownst to me, for 24 years, Parker thought I was dead.  YES DEAD!  You see, he, along with the rest of my Marine Corp buddies, were told that the last night they saw me, would in fact be the last time they would ever see me alive.  They were told that undoubtedly, I would be dead in 6 months.  So, imagine his surprise when he found out I was still alive.  That first phone call with him was undeniably, the most emotional conversation I have ever had.  It's indescribable to hear and fully understand that I was supposed to be dead at 19 years old, but then realize that 24 years later I am still here and thriving.  It is truly a blessing.  I knew that The Marine Corps had sent a Staff Sergeant to my mother's house to let her know that her son would be dead in 6 months.  I remember that they tried to prepare me as best as they could, that I wouldn't survive longer than 6 months.  However, when Parker informed me that not only had they planned my funeral, but he had a role to play in it as well, I was floored.  Parker explained that when he arrived to his new command states side, his commander informed him that when I passed, he would be flown back to Japan to be a part of the security detail to escort my body back to America.  The 3 weeks since our conversation has been very turbulent emotionally for me.  I have gone back and forth about telling my story.  I have prayed and meditated about it, but most importantly, I spoke with my wife about it and we both agree that it is time for me to tell my story.  My journey in those 24 years has been nothing short of amazing.  I think I have lived my life, like I would die tomorrow.  I have most definitely lived.  No longer am I ashamed.  I am free.  So tomorrow I will joyously release, "2 Years, 3 Months, 26 Days and 11 Hours, My Journey To Death And Back, Part 1".  I started writing a book because I couldn't put all of this information into a blog series.  This will be my most honest truth.  I refuse to go to the grave without telling my story. This is my truth.  What's yours?