“Walking with Legacy Friends”
When I began my reflective journey — the one that wound to the very dark depths of my heart and soul — I was writing what I believed would be my first book: DAWG DAZE SHADOWS — Commit-To-Believe in What Matters Most! I really had no idea where this road I found myself on would lead with its many bends, twists and turns__as I climbed the slippery slopes of my past’s mountainous terrain to those enchanting, summoning higher peaks. During these rarified special occasions, I’d soar aloft within those glorious and captivating; joyful old memories from days gone by, which would take me on a journey of one I would unknowingly, but willfully embark.
From there down, I’d plummet on my slide to the deepest and darkest hidden valleys of my mind with their seemingly bottomless cavernous chasms— of a path once tread — where in me were stowed and locked away my emotionally and mentally scarred; heart-breaking encounters of life. Those reflective treasures that had been woven so indelibly into the fabric of my mind’s searching eye, which walked longingly, seeking those lost answers to so many questions I’d always pondered. Why I had to endure those troubled waters with their alluring, magical musings to tread deeper and deeper into my heart and soul until I’d hit rock bottom, were always left unanswered until “My Legacy Friendships” began to come back around in my life.
There was occasion, when I was pulled to such depths of grave despair as I traveled on this new journey and path of my life — when I’d felt so lost and so very alone — then totally unexpected; there would come those familiar old voices that resonated with their one small legend of voices; encouraging me to “Never give up and never Give In.” These softly urging and recurring words that they spoke; as I took those steps of internal discovery, with this new leap of faith became the perfect soothing elixir for my trouble, wandering soul. This path that I’d placed myself on was a whirling vortex and vacuum of past events that seemed to mesmerize me to a point of confusion at times; when I had no idea where it would eventually lead, or for that matter, what I’d finally encounter as I moved forward in this new quantum leap and sojourn of my life.
Some things have happened. My first inspiration which arrived as one book — has now turned into a trilogy of books titled: DAWG DAZE SHADOWS — with their subsequent sub-titles — A Childhood Dream, All That Glitters and A Beautiful History. Beyond this, I know deep down in my heart, there will be more titles, dedications, introductions, forewords, afterwords — and maybe even I’ll stoop as low as to submit an outline—but I wouldn’t hold your breath — for many more creative literary adventures yet to be realized. I embrace the creative process to write what I feel from those grand experiences of my life; which I have and will, glean wonderful insight concerning the human element and how it moves each of us to that unique, individual beat of the drum. The creative process, when you COMMIT-TO-BELIEVE in it 100% — is a beautiful thing. Who’d have ever known?
What else I’d discovered on this new traverse, was the rediscovery of something that I’d always felt; but had lost, until I began to reconnect with “My Legacy Friendships — A Band of Brothers…And Some Sisters Too!!” Those many true legacy friends—old and now new alike — I’d always had from so very long ago and these newer ones with which I now share this new dream and path in life. With most of those older, often times reflected upon legacy friends, I’d let them fade away with time. During this intently reflective journey, these Legacy Friendships became a highly valued part of my life in more ways than I could have ever imagined. Reconnecting with them provided me with the inspiration, and an undeniable hope to persevere and forge on to deliver my neophyte journey as an aspiring, fledgling author into this new panorama of creative prosperity. These are truly very special people that I needed and wanted in my life and now they’re back—and the new ones are here to stay. These are all to a guy and a gal — my true inner circle of support within life’s grand stage — my perfect circle.
What we’d all discovered in a sense; is that we were all one another’s heroes. We were all very special to each other with this treasured bond of brotherhood, well I suppose I could say sisterhood. But for a guy writing such a bonding book of brotherly love, I won’t walk in that pond, I’ll just speak to the camaraderie I shared with each one of them — with its sincere, genuine love as former teammates; or what this new era’s connecting kaleidoscope of friends had shared together, during those different and difficult times in our respective lives when our dreams intertwined on a common ground — that sacred, revered and hallowed ground of life’s gridiron. None of us really knew where our lives would lead us during our individually created destinies of encounters in life. We were all battle-born warriors and tested by the fires of endurance; all fighters for those justly earned rewards in our own special way, who was caught playing in life’s grand arena. All of us had tested the waters of fate. For undeniable support, we leaned on an individually embraced committed faith and belief system — with a cautious and ever curious; pensive and tentatively reaching and tapping toe, stepping that much closer towards our uncertain, hopeful futures — leaving our pasts, surrendered within the gladiator’s ring of glory.
Each one of us had our own distinct fingerprint of uniqueness in this world order. We found ourselves crashing together in a universal cause of dedication, fortitude and aspiration to create a legacy for each other to reflect upon. This warm, retrospective glow that occurred in the aftermath of our earlier lives, rekindled a unity from days gone by when we all joined as one to “fight the good fight” in life’s often tumultuous journey. Those many life lessons that grew from this safe harbor of genuine love and camaraderie during those incomparable times — and then grew as we all went our separate ways, has now become a source of inspiration, hope and encouragement from the honor we held for one another as a group of committed true believers; bound by one uniting thread of deep conviction to another; that of a brother, and in this case — Some Sisters Too!!
I needed so much to honor this group of champions — first; before I told any of you my own life’s story. I felt compelled to speak to their individual lions’ hearts of a true champion and for what they’ve meant to me as time had moved on from what was — to what is now; and how some of these “Legacy Friendships” have shown up in my life, even at this later stage to become just as much a legacy friend as those very early years so long ago. Especially those who were so important in my life from those early lessons; long before I moved on to pride-fully dawn the Husky brand for the Purple and Gold reveling throngs, of raucous and faithfully crazed fans at the University of Washington. I consider myself as one who is so very blessed, to have known and still hold so very close to my heart, these great human beings. They’re all so genuine in their hearts, true giants of men and some remarkable women. With two of these standing side by side; sharing the spotlight of world class, record-breaking accomplishments in their chosen sport — both would impart such great drive; who as a young teenager fired a passion and belief in me that you can overcome any adversity in your life and cross the line a winner, so long as you COMMIT-TO-BELIEVE in it 100%. All have left that indelible mark of true love; by their inspirational support for my life and leaving a smile on my heart as their measure of giving back to our shared relationship. What a great gift that any could hope to receive.
Within the pages of this book, you will come to know this valored group of “Legacy Friends” as I share their life stories with you and how theirs had intertwined with mine. What STALLIONS they are — Wild at Heart — with a passion and zest for life that drives us all to be the best that we can possibly be when facing the many trials, tribulations; bumps, dings, bruises and skinned knees of life! So turn the page with me now and see how “My Legacy Friendships — A Band of Brothers…And Some Sisters Too!!” will manifest in you; those same special traits that we all shared in, within our lives for the genuine — love for a brother and a sister — to give you hope and encourage you too, to reconnect with your own legacy friends; those forever, long lasting and endearing human beings known to you as your own — Legacy Friendships.
Commit-To-Believe in your dream — 100%; fully and wholly! Keep the dream alive — because that’s What Matters Most! Chase it! NEVER give up and NEVER give in! Because you’ll find what I did — that Love from one to another; truly does Conquer All!
Are you ready, to turn the page? Go for it!!
