OK, I confess...

I brought on the risk of cancer with my high risk life. I went through a period of my life that I smoked heavily, cigarettes, cigars, pot. I was a teenage alcoholic, waking up in unknown places often at the age of 17. I burned through women like there was no tomorrow and rarely talked to one woman twice. Thank God AIDS wasn't around back then or I would have received the death sentence. I had 10 or 15 cavities between 19 and 20, living off of pop and Snickers between the heroin, cocaine and crystal meth. Heck, we did crystal meth before it was even cool back in the 70's.

I know without a doubt that I am to blame with my careless lifestyle from 14-21. I prayed for God's mercy many times, especially after I died from a heroin overdose at age 17 and age 19. I was revived by a friend and a friend who was a nurse. I am not bragging but I am not ashamed either. IYAMWHATIYAM! I have used my hard life to educate others and help steer young adults in a different direction. I have worked with runaways and ex-cons. I truly believe if my life's experiences can help only one other person, it was worth it all.

I never graduated from high school but I earned an Associated degree (in prison) and a Bachelor's degree in accounting. I paid my dues tenfold and I earned my right to be in this world. I have kept my nose clean for about 30 years, don't do drugs and raise my children to be law-abiding, respectable, contributing members of society. When I go I will know with certainty that I have touched many lives and the world is a bit better because of my efforts.

Oh, I forgot to mention I have worked in the meat industry for 23 years and literally every weekend of that time has been spent developing the best smoked pork ribs known to man! I either smoke meat on a smoker or grill on the barbecue about 300 days of the year. Heck, I should be the Squamous Cell Carcinoma poster child (er...old man).

Ed