I was born on February 10, 1980 to two young parents in Southern California. I was their first born son. My mom, while cleaning out her closet recently came across my baby book and she shared it with me. My father wrote something there that blew me away. It was a prayer he had written on the day of my birth. He was 25 years old and probably terrified of his new responsibility. His parents, my grandparents were loving people; I remember that about them. My grandfather always had a big warm bear hug to offer when us grandkids were around. But they had their struggles in life. They abused alcohol and I am sure caused scars in my father. My father has wanted to give me the life he never had growing up. His prayer went something like this: "Lord, let me raise Matthew to know you. Guide him and let him grow up to be a man of God. Protect him and watch over him."

Though my parents weren't rich or highly educated, though my parents are just average people with their own scars and are trying to make it in the world as we all are, this prayer above all else has shaped my life.