Wow...that's one of the most depressing things I have heard.
17 years...wasted? Dude Cowboy up. You have daughters right? It's not like you took a nap for 17 years. That would be wasted. Just because life is not what you expected that doesn't mean all the years prior to it were a waste.
Experience is a brutal teacher, but you learn. My God, do you learn. - C.S. Lewis
Life is usually all about how you handle Plan B. - Jack3Beans
Listen without defending; Speak without offending - FaithinAK