The Unexpected Lessons of My Life So Far

By Matt Rice

A collection of stories and life events that led to me meeting the love of my life; and what I learned along the way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Oct 5, 2017
• ISBN: 9781387275526

Book preview

The Unexpected Lessons of My Life So Far

The Unexpected Lessons of My Life So Far

The following is dedicated to my friends and family, and all who have encouraged my writing and taught me something along the way. Special thanks to:

My parents, grandmother, and wife who have all been inspirational to me, and challenged me to never give up, and to put my best foot forward.

Those who have passed: All of my friends and family who have passed out of this world especially, my step-dad Jay, my Grandpa Bob, and my cousin Samantha. You are all greatly missed.

The men and women of the United States Military especially my beloved Marine Corps—Semper Fi Marines!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prologue

In the beginning, we were brave. We were strong. Adventurists. In the beginning, we were full of hope, and inspiration, and good will. In the beginning, we were who we’d always hoped we’d be; but life has a funny way of molding us into what others expect us to be, or at least ill-formed clay shadows of said expectations.

I never expected to be sitting here during the dull hours of my twelve-hour work day typing away at some computer. Since I was little I always had this grandiose vision for myself—that I would be some great politician, or engineer, or cowboy, or an honorable soldier of an honorable corps serving in the name of the weak and the poor—yet her I am; jotting down skewed memories from my past for your pleasure. I am not unhappy with whom I have become, in fact, just the opposite. I just never expected to be this me.

The following is a collective of short-stories and lessons from my past that have made me the person I am today, and that allow me to wake up every morning next to the woman of my dreams. I hope you enjoy, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll find a lesson or two that will help you along your journey.

Chapter 1 The Speech

As I stood at the podium in front of my peers—and before their families—and read through the valedictorian speech that I had perfected over the previous three weeks, I felt so alive. I felt so powerful, and full of accomplishment. I was bragging on how we had come through so much adversity, and how we had reached the pinnacle of our lives up until that point. I encouraged everyone to stay courageous; to go forth and spread good will, and do great things, and follow their dreams. I admonished them to live each day like it