Rags to semi-riches story.

[Bafflingbs]

I came from very meager beginnings. My parents divorced when I was 4-5. My father was abusive to my mom, so my mother packed us up, and left my father. We moved from Illinois, to the only place an unmarried mother of two could make a fresh start, back to her moms, who was also an abused wife. We lived there, for about 2 years, with my 3 aunts and 2 uncles. It was generally a happy time, from what I remember.
This was during the Vietnam war, so both uncles joined the armed forces. However, one uncle was given a psychological discharge, and was soon back living with us. I don't know why, but, he started to abuse me, physically. Once, he picked me up, and threw me down on my face, breaking my front teeth. So, my mother, again moved us away.
All of my young life, I have memories of struggling financially. Whether it was lack of food, holes in my shoes or being on welfare, we were very poor. We only lived in apartments. I look back now, and I don't know how my mother did it. Without much supervision, my brother and I were a handful, to say the least.
It was when I was 20, when I realized I was doomed. I was angry, and heading down the tubes, quick. I was super irresponsible and soon lost the '77 Nova, that my mother worked so hard to give me. I wrecked it, I burned the clutch out, and tires off, constantly. I quit school, and, when my mother finally had enough, she made me sell the car. I had finally arrived, at rock bottom.
With nowhere to go, but, down a road that I couldn't come back from, I realized that my only choice, was to join the Navy. So, I got my GED, and joined. I went to boot camp, in Greatlakes, Michigan. And, like so many other desperate souls, I was scared straight. I spent the next 4 years, busting my hump, working on the flight deck of the USS Enterprise. While it was a very hard life, it was rewarding. It also gave me something I'd never known. A sense of pride.
After my commitment, I expected the world to open up to me. But I soon learned, that I couldn't sit on my laurels. Success wasn't going to be just handed to me, so, I went to school, I bartended, and worked for UPS. After about 4 years, I started to get the sense, that I was again, starting to go in the wrong direction, so, decided to join the Police department. It hasn't been easy. Being a police officer, in a major metropolitan city, consists of very long hours, constant schedule changes and the chance to meet the dredge of society, on a regular basis. Not to mention, the utter lack of support, from everyone, everywhere. It has been a very long 22 years since I first took the oath as a police officer, but, it has also been very rewarding. I am far from rich, I have yet to crack 6 figures. But, I am finally in a place, where certain extravagances, are now obtainable. Last Wednesday, I bought my first Rolex. I'm sure many of you understand my feelings, when I say, I feel like I've finally made it. I may not be a millionaire, but, with the love of my wife, and retirement 3 years away, I feel rich.

[GB-man]

Great story Howard and congrats on that rolex you sure did earn it.

[sickened1]

Welcome to TRF, Howard. Congrats on your first Rolex and thanks for sharing that story.

[Bafflingbs]

If you look real hard, you might be able to see me. I'm one of the Motorcycle riders. We were leading President Bush's second inaugural parades. Very exciting!
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[Rogdogg]

Great story and thanks for sharing. It's great that you had the sense to realise that you were going down the wrong path and did something yourself to get you out of it. Not many people have the mindset to realise that and pull themselves up out of it.
Being rich is not only determined by the amount of money in your bank account as you fully know yourself. Congrats on the new watch but don't forget pictures or it didn't happen

So what watch did you get?

[Bafflingbs]

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[hdrazor251]

Great story Howard.

[kilyung]

Thanks for your past and your continued service. I, along with many others, appreciate your sacrifice. Congrats on achieving a life goal.

[Bafflingbs]

Thanks guys.

[TheRolexKingofLV]

Thanks for sharing your story, as well as for your service. BTW..You are a rich man sir! Congrats!

[Gasoil4ever]

Great story ! Congrats on your new watch.

[Thailawson]

You wear that watch with pride!

It is a crown for your life's achievements.

I also came from very humble beginnings....I'm still working my way one day at a time.

No short cuts were given and none taken!

You, sir, have lived and are living a life anyone with sense would appreciate.

Enjoy that watch in good health.

[rr-nyc]

Thanks for sharing such a personal story with mostly strangers... Much luck to you and be safe

[Lordofrolex]

Thanks for sharing

[Rock]

Good on you Howard!!!
That's quite a journey, and to your credit that you had the sense and guts to make a change when you needed it most.
It's easy to be successful when you have everything on your side from birth, much harder when it is all stacked against you.
If you have an honorable profession, a loving family AND a Submariner then you have it made.

[psv]

Thanks for sharing your story, Howard. And for your continued service! Enjoy that Rolex - you deserve it!

[seand442]

Good work brother. When it comes, that retirement will be well deserved.

[1William]

Great story Howard. Thanks for sharing and a well deserved and earned watch.

[The Joker]

Nice one Howard.

[1st amg]

Thanks for sharing Howard, enjoy the aquisition!

[sameer222]

Great share. Well done!

[mapalfa]

Originally Posted by Bafflingbs

I may not be a millionaire, but, with the love of my wife, and retirement 3 years away, I feel rich.

Wife, husband, boyfriend, girlfriend, straight, gay etc etc - it doesn't matter. What matters is that you find your place in the world, try to make it just that little bit better than it was before you came into it and love the life you have.

To quote a song, "it's not having what you want, it's wanting what you have".

You, sir, are a rich man in my eyes and have my utmost respect for the way you've handled your journey through life.

[TheBluePrince]

An interesting life.

Why didn't you stay in the Navy? You'd have been retired already with a full service pension by now I'd imagine.

[mannyv11]

great story and thank you for your service =)
enjoy that first rolex for many years to come and in great health!

[axjimenez]

Thank you for sharing. You are role model to many.

[Andrés G]

Well done. Congrats on the Sub.

[Ticknaway]

Fantastic story perhaps one that should be shared with some of the youth that live in the city you serve. Now stay save for the next three years so you can retire and enjoy your new watch for a very long time!

[THC]

Those motorcycles are bad ass.. Do you get to keep one?

great story sir

[cop414]

Howard, thank you for sharing your story, I retired after 26 with my local PD. You've had a rough start but you perseverance has paid off, congrats to you brother. I bought my Submariner as my retirement gift to myself. Please be safe. Pic of me several months before pulling the pin.

[RACER_X]

Congrats! Great story!

sent from the batcloset in the batcave on the batphone