Just Because You've Left, Doesn't Mean You're Gone

Cute picture, eh?

Ryno’s mom came across this while she was cleaning out some drawers, at what used to be my house.

It’s a picture of Ryno and I circa 1996.

He would have been somewhere between 1 and 2 years old and I was about 31 or so.

The little man is zonked out in that picture, and I…well, I think I’m only pretending to be zonked out.

You see, that picture was taken at the then In-Laws house.

So, in order to avoid all of the ever present familial drama, I only acted as though I was asleep.

I can even detect a bit of smile and/or smirk on my mug. I am relaxed, and my son is in a blissful pseudo-coma.

A quiet serenity and peace abound in that photo.

It wasn’t always like that. After seven years into a rocky marriage, Ryno was born. After 2 years or so of a Post-Natal armistice, it was back to the ugliness.

Finally, in 2000, as his mom and I argued once again, our son came out of his room crying his big, brown six year old eyes out and begged us to stop fighting.

I knew it was time for me to go. And so, I did.

His mom and I aren’t awful people by any means, unfortunately, for whatever reason, we brought out the worst in each other.

It wasn’t fair to either of us, and it certainly wasn’t fair to a six year old boy who just wanted to grow up happy and secure.

That was eight years ago, and for three years or so, even though I live just minutes away, it was hard on all of us.

But the last few years have been pretty good. Ryno and I are best buddies once again, and his mom and I get along relatively well.

I have never asked for anything out of the house I mentioned, because Ryno likes it there. That’s his home.

Along with the house, I have thrown away almost all of my animosity.

Almost all.

Knowing that I have a date with an IRS 1040 Form today, it’s fine that she has the house, but c'mon...

Throw me a bone and let me use the sweet, little shit as a deduction.

But no worries, life’s good and bad even out in all different ways.

Some say the best revenge is living well. That’s not bad, but I have an axiom that is even better.

You see, Ryno is nearly exactly like me in every way, shape, and manner.

He looks like me. He talks like me. He has the identical senses of charm, sarcasm, and humor. He’s Mini-Matt.

Not a day goes by that both his mom and Grandma don’t shake their heads and say, “Ryan, you are just like your Father.”

Which leads me to my axiom…

You can take the house away from the Matt-Man, but you can’t take the Matt-Man away from the house.

And THAT my friends, is the best revenge of all.

Happy Tax Day!!

Cheers!!