I can't believe this thread is still here? Y'all need to clean this place up! Old posts lying around just anywhere. Someone could trip and break something.
I don't know what brought me back here, it's been almost two years since I've made a post and almost as long since I've looked at the site. Kind of surprised I remembered my password. Even more surprised to see my story listed under the "Successful Men" line. That's a stretch.
Well, if it helps anyone to read it, feel free. Most of it is depressing and not something I think I'll ever want to go back through. I was on a lot and the people here helped me get through a very rough time. I'll always be greatful for the friends I made here and the support y'all gave me.
As for what's up? W and I just celebrated our 28th anniversary. It's almost like normal, although I can still see the shadow cross her eyes when the weather is gloomy for more than a couple of days. It's definitely more difficult for her in the winter. The important thing though, is she realizes it too and tries to resist it. She stopped taking the anti-depressents almost a year ago. I'm proud of her. She's almost like the person I married.
The kids are doing fine. Both boys are back in Texas, one in the Army and one in school. My daughter is in her last semester in Missouri and looking for a job and life past college.
If some of you remember, my oldest son dropped out of school, spent a couple years chasing women and partying. Well somewhere along the line he turned into a pretty good man. He got married, almost two years ago to a very sweet girl and now they have a beautiful baby girl. Six months old and just the cutist thing. He's deploying overseas again this summer for his second tour but they seem to be taking it all in stride. Funny how sometimes they actually do grow up.
As for me, I finally did retire. It was a tough decision but in the end it sort of just happened. I tried to talk the wife into moving to some foreign country where we could just lay on the beach, but she didn't think me "watching pretty women" would be a worthwhile life goal. So we are going back to Texas instead.(have too! that's where the granddaughter is) I've got a new job lined up and we are picking out a house. I hope to be settled by late spring. Laying by the pool instead of a tropical beach but that's OK. I can still sip whiskey and smoke my cigars in the 100 degree heat.
To all of you that shared so much with me over the past several years, I wish you the best. MAL, Belle, Ellie, Z, Chilly, Charles, WW, Floyd, Darkness, Mycroft, JW, and everyone else out there, take care of yourselves and your families. It takes special people to reach out on a site like this when they are going through so much pain themselves. No matter how bad it was at home, there was always someone to help you or someone you could help.
And speaking as one who was helped. I thank all of you.
I've got a new job lined up and we are picking out a house. I hope to be settled by late spring. Laying by the pool instead of a tropical beach but that's OK. I can still sip whiskey and smoke my cigars in the 100 degree heat. 
