A Ronin's Journey: The Road To Redemption
A landing page for all the chapters of the book.
A Ronin’s Journey: Chapter 13
We broke the news we were going to move after we arrived at the halfway mark on our savings. It was taken much better than I thought. It was a high note to start the month on, then we got the news that Casey’s stepdad was impaled on a limb. It didn’t hit anything vital. I wondered as much, as he’d survived; there had to be a purpose to his life that he h…
A Ronin’s Journey: Chapter 14
In writing this book, I’ve had to watch for the all-too-human tendency to make myself look better. Like how that buck you missed had antlers that grow more massive every time you tell the story. Or the fight you won was against five guys on PCP instead of really being one guy who tripped and knocked himself out. Fortunately, I have the journal entries t…
A Ronin's Journey; Chapter 15
The month began with me and Casey dividing our forces, her going to a Deaf event and me to my dad’s. I was bummed that I was going alone; however, I wanted Casey to see her friends. Time with my niece did help me feel better. Then she texts me. The truck is almost out of gas, and she’s lost.
A Ronin's Journey: The Road to Redemption
Editor’s Note: Initials are used in place of kids’ names. The month started off with one vehicle fixed and another one sold. I missed my JKD class. However, my friend got his car before Casey left to go to a group grief therapy class at church. It was suggested that I go with her. I had dealt with it all pretty much, so I thought.
A Ronin’s Journey: Chapter 17
Started the month off all wrong. It was a late Halloween party, and I was asked to bring someone and I refused. It was an act of defiance, no matter how much I wanted to rationalize it. And I did rationalize the crap out of it. “He’s drunk.” “They get on my nerves.”
A Ronin's Journey: Chapter 18
I continued reading the Ragamuffin Gospel, highlighting and copying it. One excerpt about our dark pasts I absolutely loved. “We all have shadows and skeletons in our backgrounds. But listen, there is something bigger in this world than we are and that something is full of grace, and mercy, patience, and ingenuity. The moment the focus of your life shift…
A Ronin’s Journey: Conclusion?
It took three long years to write the first draft. Through it, I struggled with the structure and how to end it. Lengthened it, changed the title, and changed the intent of the book. Meant to be a self-help book, A Ronin’s Journey really showcases my tortured journey over 17 months. I read the first three chapters and opened up old wounds; my editors co…