I’m in a hotel bathtub again, this time in central Michigan.

Tomorrow I will see my childhood home, midway through a pilgrimage of sorts.

Three years ago I was trying to reinvent my life. I was shuffling the cards, and hoping for the best.

The best happened, but in a way I could not have foreseen.

Each day, I believe we do the best we know to do. The plan I had made sounded good on paper. The reality was unfulfilling at best. It’s sometimes hard to admit when we’re wrong. But admitting I was wrong was the turning point.

I left my home without selling it. I bought a house in a city that would never be home. I was hoping things would just fall into place.

What’s that saying about hitting rock bottom?

Rock bottom is a beautiful start.

Hitting rock bottom is a beautiful opportunity to reinvent yourself.

That’s what I did.

The first gift was in knowing where I belong.

The second gift was in knowing that I could have what I dreamed of.

Being single. Being male. Being in my late 50’s. These are not reasons to not have more children.

Naysayers. Challenges. Money. These are not reasons to give up.

Listen to the people who believe in you. Don’t listen to the ones who are tired. Narrow minded. Afraid.

If you don’t have a cheering section, cheer for yourself. You are enough. You are enough, exactly as you are.

It won’t always be comfortable. It won’t always be easy. But following your dream will be worth it.

Even when I was a child myself, I dreamed of being a dad.

Today as I traveled, I spoke with four of my children.

One is with me. One is at my house. One had a dead phone so I left a message. One wished she could be here with me.

I wish they were all here with me.