Many thanks go out,
to all that have been deserving shout outs all year long. This post is dedicated to the men and women who have so valoriously showed their mettle over the last year.
D-Train - The events and tales of last night just reflected the general crazy events that have happened over the last year, it's always rad to have your boy being able to relate on the parallel...on the dl. I give props to your metalness and its relative sameness to my own. Where would we be without our daytrip to Springfield and our beloved Swedish metal stars?
Christie Ray - For your ability to always see me in the way I need to be seen, even when I'm too down on things to really believe it. It's awesome to have such a real friend that is able to build you up and still be honest.
Rae Rae - Too crucial have you been in my life, over the last couple years. I'm thankful you've come to me when you needed someone to talk to. So glad I could be there. Don't think that you're not appreciated either. You've been around at crucial points. CRUCIAL points. Thanks for helping me to remember that the judging words of men don't make a person's identity...they only help to cloud a person's understanding.
Mikey - ALWAYS keepin' it real, even when it's disguised as hate. I commend you on your ability to foretell everything, to keep my head straight about what I know is best for me even though I conveniently forget sometimes. Thanks for being understanding and patient with me.
Mustafa - A remote friendship ours has been of late, but I feel that every time we meet, we can start off right where we left off. My life would have certainly panned out a lot differently if we'd never met. I'm looking forward to your presence this fall. Blood brothers for life...to the oath we are bound.
Lindsey - You really challenged me to step up as a man seeking God, and I feel like your inspiration helped me take great strides in that department. You're always able to push me, because I find it hard to lie to you. So you always, even if you don't know it, cause me to reflect on important things. Thanks for being so encouraging with my decisions, even if they weren't the best.
Kelly W. - I appreciate your concern for my life and my well being. Though our meetings are rare, I know you always want to keep up with how I'm doing and where my life is going. We've shared so much joy over the past couple years. Awesome times.
Connie - For your courage, you're always raising the bar for me. Sometimes me doubting things, I see how that makes you feel, and it hurts me to know that you put so much stock in me and I often flounder. I'm trying to be strong for you kid, cause you're trying to be strong for me. Keep flexing those guns. Just because you're fighting an uphill battle doesn't mean you won't make it to the top.
Danny - You are a man who has given me room to share, room to be honest, and given me guidance. Thanks for the "shift-change" talks we've had over the course of this last year, and for the other random times I just felt the need to babble incessantly for an hour. Your prayers have brought change, your advice, new avenues of thought for me.
Laura Wright - Can I just say? I see a lot of potential in you to go beyond bounds. You're a teutonic warrior. I think you've reminded me that I don't know what's going on all the time, and that the things I do sometimes just don't make a lick of sense. You've been pretty fair to me despite my ineptitude at returning that same behavior. You're awesome.
And anyone I haven't mentioned...I haven't forgotten you. But I think that the people mentioned are those I have been been the least fair to, and are yet still able to put up with it. They deserve some thanks for that. So, I hope this post doesn't sound depressing. Rather, consider it an uplifting, encouraging message...that we all make a beautiful impact on other people's lives and sometimes, they just need to know that.
As always,
keepin' it crazy.
