End of Decade Realizations

It's almost the end of 2009 and what 10 years has done for me. In 2000, I was still in college par time, struggling with life and the rigors of the Army as well. I was a pretty conservative Republican at the time.

Almost 10 years later, well...I have a career I love, a self I love, and I'm a very liberal person as well. You wouldn't even recoginize the me of 2000 versus the me of today. Not only do they look radically different, but they think and have evolved much differently. I grew up so fast this decade.

In 2000, I was lost and didn't know myself. Now, I know who I am and what I really want out of life. It's amazing what 10 years can do. I've lost friends, parted ways with family, made so many new friends, come out to other friends who love and care for me for who I am.

The biggest realization is that I love my friends more than my family. In fact, I have almost no family ties. Mother, father, sister....relatives...they all are just words compared to the real love that I experience with my friends. What this really means is that the loss of my friends in my life will be my most difficult times compared to the loss of my family members. Is it right to feel like this? I guess I don't know any other way.

The happy moments I've had with my friends in the past few years have more than made of for the saddest and darkest moments of my past. Whatever happens in the future, I know that I am loved and will always be a part of friendships which make me whole. I desire nothing more than to be a great friend to those who are a part of my life. I only hope I can live up to the happiness and joy that they have brought me.