* I have hope and faith that one day we will find our purpose. We all have burdens to carry, but God will never place a burden on your back that you can't carry. They are placed their to strengthen our weaknesses and to correct our faults. Those who see their problems as curse or as a form of punishment from God has already fail the test.
* I have a story to tell. I recall my then father passing away from a heart attack when I was 5 years old. I will never forget the good times we had together and the love that he gave me. I will always miss him. My mother gave up and kind of forgot about us, I was the middle child of seven. My older brother was born with cerebral palsy. We had to take care of him and see to it that we kept him clean and fed while my mother worked nights.I was the Man of the house at age seven, which meant that when criminals tried to break in and take what little we had I would always keep my Butcher knife under my pillow to ward them off. I recall the times when they tried to molest my little sister late at night I would wake up and let them know that I might not be a real man and if they come back I would kill them. Most never came back and I thank God for that. I would always pray that God would give me strength to become what I always wanted, a Father. I recall when they repeatedly molested my handicapped brother, I could never catch them in the act, but he would tell me about, it tore me apart. Again I ask God to become my Father and watch over us, I could not take seeing the abuse any longer. Things got better, people started respecting me more and most of the abuse stopped.
* Then when I was 10 my mother started drinking with her men friends and having fun. Again I had to become the man of the house again, God knew how tired, afraid, and lonely I felt, again he gave me strength. I would pray that one day my father would come back to help. I was in denial, He died 4 years prior, I never gave up, I continued to pray the same prayer day in and day out. Then my mother started physically abusing us. My handicapped brother became also a Victim. I will never forget how we got beat for doing nothing, we were left alone to take care of the house hold. Then the same men that drank with my mother started abusing her as well. I would helplessly watch all knowing that they were stronger and bigger than me, nobody cared. I always prayed that life would get better. It only got worse. My father in heaven help me keep the faith. Hebrews 11:3.
*When I turned 18, my mother told me that my father was alive, I laughed and ask her what was our first dogs name. I thought that somebody may have contacted the wrong person by accident, she confirmed. She told me that my father was in Los Angeles, and he wanted to see me. I contacted him and met him for the first time when I was 19. I met him once more when I was 20. I have not seen him since. Its been over 25 years since then. Now I have a son 24, and 2 daughters 12 and 14. I have became again what I always wanted, a Father. I miss him dearly and try to understand why. It would be nice to see him again and let him know that he has three wonderful grand children. I am one of the best Fathers in the world .
* I heard that my Father takes Photos and is darkroom specialist, my son loves graphic art, and I have developed my own 2 Zone Technique to create Black and White Photos the Classic way. I have taken Photos since the age of 8,its been now 37 years later and I have the only true Black and White Photo Art. I am the new Kodak or Adams of Photography. No one does it better. I am applying for a patent on my process and technique. This Technique will change Photo Art as we know it today. I guess the gene pool has an impact on who we are and what we can become. My Father has no idea that I have became what I always wanted. To become a well know Photo Artist and a Good Father and role model for my children. One day he will see that I was never a burden in his life, and that he should have never given up on me.
* I have started a reading Club to help children who can't read by offering free post cards to all school age children. Being able to read help lift my burden and make it easier to bear. I want to see our youth exchange post cards again. I want each youth to send at least one Post card a week to somebody that they love. I never got any mail when I was growing up. I know that if our youth learn how to write and send post cards their love ones and family can have keep sakes and memories that are priceless. Nothing can take the place of the written word or the spoken word. Its love 101, telling some that you care and are their for them. So if you know some one that you have not heard from surprise them with a hand written post cards. It will make their day Smile.
* Never give up, just keep trying and your burdens to bear will make you stronger in ways you will never know. The strengths that you need you will receive through your trails and tribulations.
KEEP THE FAITH, DON'T GIVE UP, JUST KEEP TRYING.