I was never ever one of those kids who had an 'Invisible friend." I might have been a creative kid and a "deep thinker" but never had an invisible friend. I never told my father "Hey Dad! Don't sit there! You might sit on my invisible friend Tommy!" My Dad would have sent me to a child psychiatrist. Well, not really but he would have been concerned!
I started blogging probably since 2008 or so. When I first heard about blogging, my initial plan was to blog to help me work on my creative writing and develop that "writing muscle." I felt like since it was free and a great vehicle to display my writing, I thought, "Hey, why not give it a shot!" I began posting my original blog on Facebook around 2008 and I got a great response. In 2013 when I went through a rough time, I was certainly not in the mood to write so I stopped. I just couldn't do it. Actually, it was well over 5 years. I needed that time to heal, regroup and get closer to God. In September 2018 I decided to start a new blog I call "Telling it like it is", a takeoff from an ongoing comment from former sportscaster Howard Cosell from Monday Night Football. Since then, this is blog number 243 and I'm sure many more will follow.
So how could writing a blog be identified as being a friend? Let me explain. If there was one thing I have learned about myself from the minute I was born until 2013 it was very simple. I trusted too many people! I thought everyone was trustworthy and you could tell them things you were going through knowing they wouldn't tell a soul. Even in the church, I believed that if you shared a personal situation with a "friend" and when they told you "I'll be praying for you, brother!" that it would stay between you and that "friend." Well, that was not always the case. There are people out there who thrive on other people's business, especially the "business" of a pastor of a big church. Let's just say as we have almost completed 2 months of 2025, and to this very day I honestly don't trust a whole lot of people. I could probably tell you the number of people that I do trust can be counted with ten fingers or less.
When I rented a room in a house in Centereach, NY I worked a lot of hours. Many times, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. I went home very tired and truthfully, I really did not want to go out or even talk on the phone with a friend. After taking a nap and then exercising, I would usually sit on my loveseat, turn on a game and then grab my laptop. I get ideas for blogs at the craziest times...in the middle of the night, driving in my car, walking at the beach, at work or even in dreams!! Yes!! After looking back at when I first started this present blog, I can see how much pain I was in. Blogging gave me an avenue to vent, to be creative and to share some "pent up" frustrations I had. In reality, it was my friend, my confidant, my outlet and yes...that old friend I had not seen in many years who I just HAD to tell him or her what was going on. Yes, God has always been there for me and of course, He listens to my prayers, and I know He loves me and wants what's best for me. Writing these blogs was an outlet for me...a friend.
I have developed some new rules in my blogs in the last few years. I try not to talk about work out of respect to my boss and coworkers. I don't like to mention certain family members who I know will be offended and I really try not to bring up the past too much. I realize what happened on February 26, 1984, is over with and done (I just picked that random date off the top of my head). It's time to move on! I do find it enjoyable to sit behind my laptop and share with you all my thoughts as well as try to be an encouragement to everyone. I realize that we all go through our "stuff" and I'm not the only one who struggles. The Game of Life can be rough, but it can also be amazing! Every day is a fight, but I am so glad I have the Lord on my side! I'm also having fun making my videos on YouTube "NY Guy living in the South." Stay tuned for our next "adventure."
Lastly, I do hope one day to finish the book I have been wanting to write for so long. I'm sure when I retire (who knows when) it will be completed but who knows maybe sooner. We shall see! The title is "20 Things I have learned in 20 years."
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR SUPPORTING ME & MY BLOG.
THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND!!
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