I was born Sept 11, 1945 in Milton, VT and will be celebrating 50 years of marriage this Dec 28th. I grew up having loving parents. Church was present in my life but was a task to appease my parents. I’ve always believed in God, but throughout my life I could never pull off the road long enough to really let God in. 

From a very young age I loved music, and in high school I started to play music in a band with friends that shared the love. We eventually got a job playing at a night club in Burlington, and alcohol was part of this lifestyle. My life was the American dream; not God’s desire. I was a young adult in a changing world— a world that was booming with echoes of “you’re in charge “and “you can do it.”  God was being removed little by little, and the nuclear family was being disassembled. The world was becoming “worldly” right around me, and I embraced it.

Through years of work and music, I finally met my (now) wife, who I wed in 1973. I was also working for GE and my travels started to become taxing- so I built a home, started a family, and became a contractor. 

Even though I believed in God, alcohol was my idol of comfort and security. I was very self-centered and needed to make all my decisions, all while not treating my family like I should. Material needs are how I provided for my family because I knew best. I had a disregard for quality family time, and I was very task focused (fueled by alcohol). Over the years this continued to progress, even after seeking outside help. My family was the only solid thing in my life, especially my wife.

My wife was a rock that stood by my side throughout alcohol abuse, bankruptcy, and lack of follow-through from rehabilitation centers. Time and time again she stood by my side through the continuous cycle of meetings, drinking, and counseling. Alcohol consumed me to the point that my family— full of hurt from the broken promises, and continued lies — finally decided to intervene and contacted Covered Bridge. Then the ultimatum. The look in my son’s eyes made it very clear— this was the last option. Either go to Covered Bridge, or leave and be on the streets. Don’t come back. Ever. 

When I came to Covered Bridge, it’s the last place I wanted to be. I was offended, convinced my family had no right to do what they did, and was full of resentment. After about a month, I was able to hear a testimony that really hit home for me. Witnessing the reconciliation of another man to his family, after years of hurt, abuse, and neglect— it was clear that I’d better start to pay attention. There might be something to all this. What started as a place for which I only had foul resentment, suddenly was a quiet place of healing and discipleship— exactly what I needed. Through multiple teachings, and reading His word, God showed me on multiple occasions that I was not on the right track whenever my thoughts strayed.

What I finally found through God, is that he can and does care about me. I now know that I can lean on God when I get depressed, and I know I’ve been missing the boat for many years. There’s a wonderful feeling now when I look into my son’s eyes knowing that there is now openness and no more lies. I now believe that everything I do and say needs to go through a biblical filter, and God will be with me. The love and support of my family, even after decades of mistreatment towards them, is very characteristic of God. They don’t want me on the street, and their love for me led to the ultimate decision. Now that I have come to God, I’m not scared to deal with situations, because I have Him! 

I look forward to the next couple of months during my transition to go home to pursue full reconciliation using what I’ve learned. It isn’t complicated. It’s living my life according to God’s word!