Book One:

Introduction

I went fishing the day after September 11th to get away from the TV, so I could clear my head and try to make sense of the darkness heading Our Way. I was a month away from my 35th birthday and for the first time since high school I considered joining The Military. America was going to War and I thought about all the death and destruction and about those who would sacrifice to keep US safe and I couldn't help but think about how selfishly I had lived my life.

Standing on The Rocks I could see my reflection in the water and I didn't like what 9/11 had forced me to see. As a young man I "wanted the ball" and all the responsibility that came with it. As an adult, I willingly let others carry the ball and the burden so I could have my fun in the Cape Cod sun. As fate would have it, I celebrated July 4th 2000 by leaving a "job" to pursue an American Dream. But on 9/12 it seemed more likely than not, that my Dream was over. My business was already on shaky ground and I was losing faith. It was clear My American Dream was about to fall to the terrorists. So I decided My Response to 9/11 would be a First Promise to God, a humbling journey and a book about what it takes to see The American Dream through to the end... no matter what the cost.

Today, more than 8 years after 9/11...

America is still in peril and every day more and more people find themselves losing their jobs and businesses, their homes and their faith in The American Dream... and for good reason. Find that reason, "The Purpose" for the struggle, for the pain or for the loss and Hope is truly on the way. Fail to make good sense of it all and hope slips away day after day after day. When times get tough it's up to you to stand strong and believe me when I say... finding the purpose for the pain and for your strength of mind and common sense makes all the difference in the world!