As some of you may know, About two years ago my brother contacted me on FB. I hadn't seen or heard from him in roughly 12 years before that. Things progressed well once he found out that I and the wife had left the JWs.
Over the past two years we have become closer than ever before. He's married now with a great wife and three awesome kids. One of the things I love the most about living under his roof is that for the first time in decades I feel like SOMEBODY. Before I moved out here, I was just a computer potato sitting around all day doing nothing. I didn't have any friends, and I was pretty much a recluse. But now I'm UNCLE CHRIS! The kids love me and I spend a lot of time with them. They look up to me and I like being their uncle.
I can tell that my brother Jason and his wife truly love me as well. It feels so good to finally fit in somewhere. I am extremely active now and have lost nearly 30 pounds since the move. I spent most of the day today cutting wood on a friend's property. We heat our house with wood burning stoves. My brother's friend said we could cut as many trees down as we need because he's clearing some of his woods to make a pasture for his horses. Infinite wood!
Jason bought a Vietnam war era deuce and a half 6 wheel drive cargo truck and we have made it into the camping/hunting rv from hell. It's a beastie! He's got a 2 and a half ton trailer for it and we loaded it with firewood we cut today. There's nothing like the sound of a chainsaw echoing through the woods and the sweet smell of red oak being cut up.
I smoked a fat joint with my brother's friend before we got started. That made the whole day even more fun and interesting. Oh, and did I mention the puppies? Well we got two pups that are part Weimaraner and part retriever. We'll use them for hunting dogs when they grow up. We're also planning on getting a few horses. Our friend has some, and offered to let any we may get hang out in his pastures.
Every day is like I have just begun a fun and happy vacation. Sure we have our ups and downs like everyone else, but for the most part I'm the happiest I've ever been. Did I mention my wife just got a job at a big hospital? She's going to start at the top of their pay scale, 33.00 an hour plus a 5 dollar an hour shift differential for working the night shift. Plus she'll have great benefits that include dental and vision.
Boy I'm glad I didn't commit suicide last December...I was severely depressed and almost swallowed a bullet. Good thing I got my head screwed on straight and didn't do it. I would have missed out on the happy way things have turned out! I've found that I can be happy and life is definitely worth living.
Chris-
P.S. I'll post some pictures of the Deuce and a half soon. We painted a cool camouflage pattern on it and it blends in when it's out in the woods. Oh, and I'll post a pic of the puppies too...