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.