The Choices we Make

The Choices we Make in life, determine our success in life, and reveal our character. Make intelligent choices!

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The First Post!

New Life

New life emerging from nothing

Today is the celebration of the Birth (Independence) of my nation, The United States of America (Since the USA only represents 5% of the worldwide population, this date may not be the anything special to you). I did not plan on entering this first post today, yet consider myself lucky to have done so, as this first post represents my effort at Independence also.

Merriam Webster’s first definition of independence is: “freedom from outside control or support: the state of being independent”. And Freedom’s first definition in Merriam Webster is: the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action It is this type of Independence and freedom for which I aim with this initial post.

Why?, you ask, am I starting this Site: The Choices We Make?

Because life happens!

My family has been most fortunate all our lives. We have received many blessings, including health, happiness and even wealth. But things change, and they have.

Back in 2007/2008 my wife became a non-functioning alcoholic (I guess she was a functioning alcoholic before then). She abandoned the family and yet the family survived. We struggled greatly without her emotionally, physically and financially. Finally in 2011 her active alcoholism ended as she spent a couple of months in medical facilities. For each of 2011, 2012 and 2013 several hospitalizations occurred, and in January 2014 we were privileged to have her receive a liver transplant.

With the liver transplant a much greater level of health has returned to my wife. And as you can imagine, financial distress has also occurred in the family. During 2011, 2012 and 2013 we were forced to hire care workers to attend to my wife, which depleted all of our savings. We drained savings accounts, we withdrew everything we could in our 401k, and even received a few gifts from family that is gone. Since the liver transplant I have not been able to work, luckily my employer has worked with me, and I have an income. However, at the same time the company has experienced its own issues, and our family income has been cut by 40%.

Now, the mortgage companies are after us, and they too have drained the last monies from bank accounts. For some reason, the more you try to work with the banks, the faster they try to bleed you before just walking away themselves.

We have also had a few personal injuries. While away, my kids have had to step up and be mothers and fathers and other things as well. One daughter moved away, another went away to college, and the youngest have suffered most, with some in counseling.

Even with all this, things are always getting better, and there are plenty of people here in this country and around the world that have it far worse than we; Those who have lost limbs, minds, whole families, life itself and much more. Our troubles pale in comparison to those in Ghana and other west African countries experiencing Ebola outbreaks. Or those experiencing genocide in their countries, those ravaged by hunger due to corrupt governments, etc., etc., etc. We count our blessings.

This site will focus on providing others with information and examples of how tragedies and struggles can be worked through and overcome. i hope to provide information on Alcoholism, Liver Transplant, information on other health issues related to liver disease, how families can overcome tragedies, and other information which we have learned over time, and which others have provided through there generosity.

This site will provide examples and information to allow us all to better understand The Choices We Make, the impacts of those Choices and the criteria and character required to make our Choices.

In the end, Life is Good and it is our choice to live it.

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  5 comments for “The First Post!

  1. Addie D
    July 8, 2014 at 22:51

    Proud of you for getting this going Dad! I hope that the pain and struggles that you/we’ve had to endure can help to alleviate someone else’s.

    • July 17, 2014 at 15:29

      Addie,
      I am simply following up on procrastinations from past years, and hoping that my own experience will be useful to others.
      You, your brothers and sisters are my joy – I do this for you.
      Dad

    • morgan heil carey
      October 12, 2014 at 15:06

      Addie, I remember the day you were born. You are one of 9 shining examples of how amazing your dad is. You guys always stick together…. Remember, even though I haven’t seen you all in a long time, I’m always here to help in any way I can.

      • October 21, 2014 at 11:53

        Now little Addie is getting married – hard to believe, time flies so fast.

        Remember parents, they are only small for a short period of time, and then they leave the nest. Make sure you spend time, get to know them, help them, and you will never lose them.

        • morgan heil carey
          October 28, 2014 at 15:15

          I am just starting to understand that…. My son Dylan, just turned 3! Sometimes I think, “who in the world decided to bless me with this little boy? How can I make sure he knows he is loved, and sticks to the right path… And doesn’t make mistakes that his parents may have made?” He grows a little each day…. Already I miss him being an infant….. Our when he was learning to smile and crawl…. Now we’re talking and running and playing… Where does the time go? I try to take it one day at a time, and if I cannot do that…i do one hour at a time. I give patience, and tons of love -as does Daddy, and were pray that he will grow into an amazing, intelligent young man who also makes good choices. I couldn’t imagine 9 though, and I applaud you on that. Teaching Addie to tie her shoes, I never pictured her getting married, going to college, or moving out! She has become a gorgeous young woman. How lucky and proud you must be!

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