I just turned 25
I am a man
I am overweight
I am a recent survivor of cancer
As a result of my cancer treatments I might be diabetic
I currently live with my parents
I’ve Been to Rome.
I’ve seen Florence.
I’ve seen Venice.
I’ve been to Austria.
I’ve had REALLY good beer
I have performed on stage at Carnegie hall
I have seen the ocean
I have been horseback riding in the black hills of South Dakota
I have howled at the moon
I’ve been in love
I’ve had my heart broken
And I’ve broken hearts
I’ve lost family and friends
I’ve made new friends
I’ve had a one night stand
I’ve been to a strip club
I’ve read the bible cover to cover……it was confusing
I’ve lost my faith in god
I replaced that Faith with hope
I’ve cooked over an open fire
I’ve seen the sunrise
I’ve seen it set too
I’ve been stuck in the friend zone……many many times
I’ve been to Washington D.C.
I’ve argued about politics
I’ve decided i hate politics
I’ve taken a friend I secretly had a crush on a “friend date”……….on valentines day…We’re just friends
I’ve been to an Aerosmith concert
I’ve been to a Nine Inch Nails concert as well
I’ve learned how to play the guitar…….sort of
I’ve gazed at the stars…..i wish i had kissed her
I’ve realized that not kissing her is one of my biggest regrets.
I’ve been to Disney world
I’ve been back a few times
I’ve seen Van Gogh’s “Starry Night”
I’ve been to Broadway and Times Square.
I’ve been propositioned by a hooker
I’ve never paid for sex….never will…unless you count breakfast the next morning.
I’ve been the lead singer in a band
I’ve never gotten a speeding ticket
I’ve been to college…..didn’t Graduate……yet
I’ve decided i’m going to be a chef
I’m going back to school in the fall to learn how.
you know i started this thinking it was going to be really depressing. i was going to say something lame about how i wish i had someone to share all this with.
but now, looking back at all of it remembering everything I’ve seen in just 25 years, I’m suddenly excited about what life has in store for me.
my friends all tell me that i will meet an amazing woman someday. I’m glad she hasn’t met me yet.
The last year of my life has been spent dealing with cancer and chemo and worry and blood and pain.
and I’ve spent it alone with my thoughts.
I’ve over thought about my life
I’ve forgotten who i am
soon
very soon
I’ll be that man again


Click here for a letter.
thank you.
wow. thanks to stumbleupon, I feel a little bit more hopeful for the world today. I sincerely hope you find someone who can make you happy (or an equivalent joy).
que hermoso…
i needed this…goodluck to you.
Makes me smile (:
This is awesome, apart from being 21, and the america travelling parts (although i’ve just booked disneyland) when i started reading this i actually thought it was about me, weirdly similar life bro =] But i missed my Nine Inch Nails concert ’cause of chemo
Try being 34, lost even more hope, and having less of it than you do, at your age. I wish you well, buy it could be much much worse.
If even half your reminicences are real and not rhetorical, you’ve 10,000 of my “lives”.
Thank you StumbleUpon!! This letter made me really think about my life and all of the things that I have gotten to see or experience, and all of the moments I truly cherish, all of the woulda coulda shoulda’s, and all of the people I have met along the way, and it made me realize that instead of focusing on all of the things I desperately wish would happen, I should really appreciate and cherish all of the things that already have! Thank you for sharing this….I will definitely REMEMBER to cherish my moments now!
Very inspirational post. you’re optimism, despite everything, is refreshing. If you’re at all the way you seem through this discription, I’m sure you’ll find the happiness you’ve been looking for.
thank you, immensely great help and the best of fun in your life and rediscovering the man you used to be
That was wonderful. Keep being the strong, amazing man you are!
That was inspirational ! Stay strong
I wish I could find you.
Wow. That’s awesome
Thanks stumble for this. It made my day a little better.
thank you for making my day a lil bit better. If you ever need a friend, please email me.
this is beautiful
i really hope she finds you.
I didn’t see narcotics on the list, I suggest to dabble in those, particularly opioids, before that special lady comes into your life.
Good luck!
Someday, id like to meet a man like u.
Every day is a gift! I love you man.
you (we all) deserve someone special to share memories/moment with. all my wishes and thoughts to you, darlin’.
As a 20 year old cancer survivor, it was very special to read this. As a woman, I gaurentee someone as amazing as you will find someone special.
I just turned 18 a few months ago. Wait for me?
I think I just fell in love with you…
Wow i hope you have a really good life and find the women of your dreams(:ur truly an amazing person if you’ve done all that before 25
I have been feel a bit crappy for the past few days, but this gave me something that i can’t quite explain. All I can say is this somehow made me feel like your strength gave me strength.
Amazing.
We need more people like you in the world today.
Thank you.
You are a TRUE inspiration! Thank you for sharing your life, I can’t wait to hear how the next 25 years turn out! I have two very close friends who’ve been diagnosed with cancer and it’s been hard for them. I will be sharing this with them I know your words will make them fight harder.
THANK YOU AGAIN!
Rich(ie) N., CA
You’re an amazing person. Good luck to you and everything you encounter, brother.
This gives me hope. Thank you.
This letter is lovely you pointed out some of your flaws put but you put you great points too.
Disneyland is awesome right,
There is someone somewhere I hope for you, you deserve someone you seem to be through a lot but your still here for a reason! And good luck with finding her and with school!
Your awesome!
I read this and my heart stopped. It got me thinking about what I’ve done in the past 21 years of my life, and to be honest it was dwelling on not be able to find “the one.” Your letter made me realize how life can be too short to be preoccupied on someone else at such a young age. I have my whole life in front of me, and you’ve given me hope that there are guys out there searching as well and will eventually find me once I find myself. This was great to read and I wish you the best and maybe one day our paths will cross without even knowing
Best of luck and much happiness to wonderful, remarkable you!
i wanna see all that youve seen. youll be morre then fine.
One word: Beautiful.
I had friend fighting with cancer. He didn’t contact me since very long time. I’m affraid of the worst… but I’m trying to be optimist always.
I believe in miracles. I experienced some. Small ones, but I believe, that soon I’ll get some big one.
I believe in power of subconsious mind, which can make dreams come true.
“When you really want something, the entire universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” (Paolo Coelho “Alchemyst”)
Never give up!
Good luck with everything. The friend zone sucks but you will learn to appreciate it when things start working out later on. Congrats for a great first 25 years and more great years will definitely follow.
Should thank Stumbleupon! This made me realize not to think about the negative things that happen but all the positive ones that have and will happen!
You are an inspiration. Thank you for being so honest. It made me think about how much I have done too.
I want to know you.
Everyone has a story and yours is beautiful. I’m a female and about to be 23 and I sometimes think that I have gone through a lot to be so young and then I realize, life doesn’t give a damn about age. Whose to say when I was supposed to “start” living and ultimately realize that life is hard? Your letter made me think about the my memories, good and bad, and how grateful I am. I’m keeping hope that I will find that man that’s for me, and I hope you don’t give up. I hope the road to finding yourself is a good one. Luck and love!
Love love love. All of it. You should be proud of who you are, and all you’ve accomplished, and the fact that you didn’t let some disease define who you are. I’m proud of you. We’re all proud of you. Good job, and good luck. She’s out there
Thank you stumbleupon for this site, and thank you for sharing all of this!
I am 17 , I have been suicidal for the past 2 years , and this truly made me appreciate something no one else could , life. <3 I hope to meet someone as strong as you someday , and I hope to be as strong as you some day. This was beautiful , and most of all inspiring.
God’s timing is perfect. You are experiencing these amazing thing, as well as the hard and difficult trials, because you are in the process of being molded. Everything you have been through..everything you have seen..and everything you have not, is happening so that at that very moment when everything falls into place..it will be the perfect time. Not too soon not too late. God bless you, and keep your faith. I promise you His plans are good. you’ve lived a life in such a short amount of time that some wait a whole lifetime for. Be grateful. For the good the bad and the ugly.
FUCK OFF YOU WHINEY BITCH
to the ignorant childish comment below my previous one- one day, hopefully you will grow up. until then, we will pray for you. that was extremely uncalled for and rude. i realize that tomorrow what you said will have NO EFFECT on anybody nor yourself, but i just wanted to remind you that your ignorance does nothing to anybody, except yourself. Godspeed; you need it, brother.
notice that you are THE ONLY PERSON out of this amazing number of great people whom were moved by this inspiring letter that said ANYTHING NEGATIVE? MATTHEW 7:3 “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”
You are incredible. Things will look up…you’ll see! Stay positive (:
Thank you for sharing this with me. It made me happy, and it made me sad…but in the end it made me very delighted to hear how positive you are about your self and about your life. =) I wish we could be friends in real life!!!