The Memoirs of an American Gladiator: My Story

This publication was written after an active service career in the United States Army. Snared for the first time in the midst of emotional challenges that could not be solved with military training, the struggles require solutions beyond military strategy. The uncertain times compelled a desperate need for answers. Frustrated at the notion no one understood, life began dismantling. With a desire for relief, the punishing distractions demanded resolution. There was a need to connect with someone that could provide a way out of the dark confusion of despair. The answers didn't come in traditional ways. The initial attempt at capturing a sense of purpose proved futile. Reaching for someone to hang on to was critical. It was saddening that that someone wasn't my father. He died approximately 20 years earlier. Yet, in the search for answers, prayer became the medium that provided the comfort and harmony needed to live. Though it seems simplistic, the transformation didn't come easily. The prayers permitted a look at the growth years for resolution. Reflected upon a disadvantaged past offered a new prospective. Surprisingly, the horrors and the underprivileged past were remembered with fondness. Though there were tragedies over the years, they were recalled with less dread. Somehow, the most terrible occasions were viewed with the wisdom of growth. The occasions that were once viewed through the eyes of a child/young adult carried a different meaning as a mature adult. Through it all, it's satisfying to note God was present along the way. As the stories within the book develop, there are subtle references to God's Grace as those around are empowered for my benefit. Several stories highlight the Grace of God in a more dynamic way. It is a story of God's presence within the lives of those of us that live ordinary existences.