Milestones

 So yesterday was my 5 year mark at the prison. Hard to believe. It didn't feel nearly that long to me.

January 7th, 2007. I had just quit at the powder coating factory, which I wasn't going to miss. I had been out of the Marines for about 6 months. I had been out of the contracting gig for less than 4.

 We'd fully moved back up to Pennsylvania, and were trying to figure our lives out. We still had only Meghan, but had just found out Logan was on his way. The economy was starting to crash. I took a job working at a Federal Prison. Not really where I thought life would bring us. I'm glad it did.

 All in all, life was unfolding before us. We were still young, in love and invincible. It's amazing how all that can change in a few years. Not that love ever changed, but now I'm a widower with three awesome kids, pretending I know what I'm doing. I think it's all metsubushi. All misdirection.

 The idea of being young and invincible came up the other day when I was talking to one of my friends from the Corps. We were reminiscing about being those days. We were young, full of piss and vinegar, and the world was ours.

 Now it's almost 13 years later. We've loved, lost and felt pain. Some of us have felt love, some have felt grief. Some of us have passed on. We are all older.

 Invincible? So far, but I'm not gonna push it.

 I for one have to stay around for my kids. With Robin gone, they need me. That does light a certain fire in me when it comes to my job. I think that's part of the reason the Shinobi Wind called me this year. I needed it.

 It makes me wonder where I'll be 5 years from now. A lot can happen.

 I miss you honey.
 I shoulda had a party, but I don't have the heart anymore.