1971 - I was placed up for adoption through The Catholic Charities of New Hampshire in Manchester, NH. Less than three weeks later I was taken in by a wonderful family. My new family took to me right away. I'm sure I did to them as well but after this many years those first few months are long forgotten.
1973 - My adoptive parents divorced - I stayed with my mom. We moved into my grandmother's house. While we occupied one part my grandmother lived in the attached in-law apartment. For the previous 5 or so years she had suffered from the onset of M.S. My mom took it upon herself to care for her mom while trying to raise me on her own.
1975 - The big move. Looking for more opportunities in her field mom packed us up and headed for Portland, Maine. A first of many moves to occur over my childhood years; Westbrook, Arundel, Harrison and back to Portland. She was able to gain employment at the Osteopathic Hospital of Maine on Brighton Avenue. Within a few short years she met, dated and married my father. The only man I will ever truely call my dad. It is from him that I have learned many a valuable lesson about life. (At the age of 86 he is suffering from the onset of Alzheimer's Disease. I'm not sure who's having the hardest time with it. He or mom and I.)
1976 to 1981 - Farm life. One of my first real experiences with animals came when we, the new family, moved to dad's farm. Instead of just having to feed the dog I was now expected to help care for 8 horses, 2 ponies and 3 rabbits. Man was it hard work. Many a day I complained but I trudged through. It just had to be done. (As I look back upon this time in my life I regret having complained so much).
1981 to 1987 - Life on the lake, Long Lake to be exact. From the farm to the water. I loved it here. I had my own canoe, power boat and small sail boat. During the summers I'd sleep on the old cabin cruiser and skate on the ice in the winter. It was here that I learned of my love for the outdoors. It was here that I grew up.
1987 to 1989 - Ahh... Private schooling. What was I getting myself into?? I had everything I wanted. Good friends, a job, varsity football and girlfriends. Now, I was being asked to give it all up for the unknown. A school dress code!!?? C'mon!! It's not what a 16 yr old wants to hear. Of course, I had no choice. I had to go with my parents. You know what? I had a blast. In no time I had made new friends, gotten a job and made the varsity team in football - even a girlfriend or two. (It is here that I met my best friend. Not only was I his best man when he tied the knot in '97 but I'm also a proud god-father to his first born '01).
1990 to 1997 - My college years. Yes, I know it's supposed to take only 4 years but I enjoy it so much that I felt an additional 3 were in order. Actually, I had no idea what I wanted to be. I originally went to St. Leo College in Florida to study Biology but soon found that way out of my league. I switched to education and toyed with that for some time. After 2 years in Florida I yearned for the cooler months back in good ole Maine. I went home and took a few semesters off to work full time. I eventually transferred to University of Southern Maine before finally ending up at the University of Maine at Farmington where I received my degree in Special Education - Emotional Disturbance. While at UMF I enjoyed a lot of the college life; being a Resident Assistant, a College Senate Rep and giving tours of the campus.
1997 to present - Work and love. Since the fall of 97 I have been employed full-time with Sweetser Children's Services located in Saco, Maine. First as an Educational Technician then as a full time special education teacher. Over the past 5 years I have worked with many a student and seen all sorts of behaviors and needs. I love what I do and pray that I never "burn out" in this field.
Okay, Okay. I did mention love. Aside from my job I have another love in my life. She knows who she is and I make sure I tell her everyday. For those who are wondering how we met, well, would you believe it if I said online. One evening, two years back now, we happened to be in the same iwon chat room. Our first conversation was about the beauty of Maine woods especially during ski season. Come to find out her parents had a place in Bethel, ME and she often found herself up in my area. After 2 to 3 months of general chit chat we finally met face to face. As soon as I saw her I knew right away I had found my true soulmate.
I enjoy participating in a wide variety of things which allow me to vent the stress associated with my job. Here are some of the things I do:
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