Life here on this place we call earth. Too damned short my friends.

[The Straight Story]

Over the years - mom died, best friends have died from accidental over doses and car wrecks.

And now my wife's best friend is dying from HIV/AIDS. And it is tearing her up.

I have seen so much death the last 3 years, mom, her best friend and mom #2, x wife, friends I have known all my life - that I am not sure how to handle it all anymore.

We all are headed down this same path. None of us are perfect, and I am the first to say that if they ever made a movie of my life it would not always be favorable. I have certainly not lead a life of perfection.

Such is the way of things.

We can choose to celebrate those good things we have done, or rant about the things people have not done.

I hope when my time comes and I am called home, that the people I called friends will recall my life and focus on the good I did when I was here. From helping out people to offering encouragement to folks I have met in my daily life. From work to the guy I gave some cash to at the local store when he asked me.

I did some things I regret, said things I regret as well. In the span of my life I have done a lot of good towards others. And some bad as well. I am 41, been on this planet about 15,000 days since I was born.

How many posts do you have? If you have anywhere near 15k you might see what I am getting at. Do you want to be judged on those few bad posts you made, or the thousands you made that were decent?

Us humans, well we can be an interesting lot. We can do a lot of good, but be judged mostly on the bad. Maybe that is because some want to only see the negative in it all.

Someday soon, it will be my time to leave this life. How will I be remembered here? For all the good I have done, or for the few bad things?

How do you want to be remembered? For all that you have done, or the few times you messed up?

If I have learned anything in this life, it is that people screw up - and to judge them based only on that is damned sad and shallow.

I guess all I am saying is this - forgive folks their faults, and look for the good and the bigger picture.

For all too soon we leave this world, this board, and our friends and family. Condensing a person's life to a few sound bytes/posts seems a tad unfair.

I will end this OP before I rant too much :) Just know that I get that we are all on the same page here, even if we don't agree on some things, we agree on the bigger picture.

And forgive me if I have not always been the best advocate for your cause, I do try - as do others.

Life here is more than about just me and my causes. I don't always see that though, so am sorry if I have been selfish in my posts concerning my issues and not yours.

We will get there my friends. Maybe not today, but I have faith that someday we will get there together and all of us will have the rights we should have.

Peace out.