The past shapes our future

I was fortunate last week and got to take a trip back to where I grew up in New Jersey.

The house in Flemington is where I lived from birth to 10 years old. The current owner was extremely kind and, after I described the layout of the interior in great detail, offered to let me walk through. As is the case with all things, it seemed so much smaller than I remembered. 

I was flooded with memories. Christmas mornings on the stairs. We had to let our dad take a pic before we go to the presents. Riding sleds in the yard. Trick or treating in the neighborhood. Riding the wheels off 3 Big Wheels. 

But also the violence. My next up older brother was incredibly abusive to me there. Broke my neck. Regular punching and beating. Held me bareback in a hornets nest. Put cigarettes out on me. Literally attempted to kill me 5-10 times living there.

Also visited the second neighborhood I lived in. 5th-7th grade. A lot more positive memories there. That brother left home after the first year or so of being there. Great pizza, great friends that I still have, and a lot of becoming who I am today.

And, lastly visited the wing dam near Bull Island Recreation Area. I almost drowned there in 6th grade. Being stupid…got too close to the rapids and got pulled in.

I’m fortunate to be here today and to get to live the life I live. We all endure and go through things in life. Each experience molds us into the next version of ourselves. 

Excited for what tomorrow holds. 

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