There I Was and Here I Am speaks to a life's journey.The story is about triumph over adversity - following the course of a young boy from a poor family with the dream of flying. The story follows him through his life's pursuit of that dream.The book is divided into the four seasons of life. Each season begins with the life cycle of a drop of water, starting as a snowflake and ending in the sea. It also deals with the two powerful forces always at work inside each of us - a good and a bad wolf, each fighting for dominance.Spring takes him from a troubled childhood and difficult times in the early school years to his enlistment into the United States Marine Corps, his service in Vietnam at just nineteen years of age, his return back to the "real world" and his struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).Summer follows him into college, Air Force Reserve Officers Training and the overcoming of numerous obstacles along the way. It also follows his entrance into and successfully completion of Air Force pilot training, his career in the Air Force and an emotional breakdown experienced during the transition from military service into civilian life.Fall finds our hero searching for a job flying with an airline company and summarizes the challenges he faces in his pursuit of happiness. It culminates with the successful completion of both - the winning of those elusive dreams.Winter - the shortest chapter - is about his retirement, family, children, friends he made along the way and some brief reflections.It may seem like fiction at times. It is not. It is completely true and accurate to each fact and detail. There are many bizarre events along the way, including the people who come into his life and leave, only to return again. He comes through the entire experience and realizes how he has been blessed beyond all measure - even or perhaps because of - all the hoops he had to jump through to get him there. All the while, he recognizes he has a guardian angel who is watching over him.It is a beacon for readers looking for direction in their lives. It reminds us all to never accept "no" for an answer, but instead, to view it as a challenge. You will be reminded to never give up on yourself or your dreams and to never give less than one hundred percent of yourself in the search of life. It will make you believe that dreams can come true, but they don't just come to you. You have to actively seek them out and work hard for them.
About the Author: Todd Howe served in the United States Marine Corps from 1967 through 1970, including service in Vietnam from November 1967 to June 1969. He achieved the rank of Sergeant before the end of his active service. He earned a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Social Science as a distinguished graduate from the University of Oregon in 1974 while attending AFROTC. He served in the United States Air Force from 1974 until 1991, achieving the rank of Major. During his career in the Air Force he flew the C-130 while stationed in both Alaska and Arkansas, and held the position of Evaluator Pilot. While serving in the Air force he furthered his education with a Master of Arts Degree in Psychology/Human Resources Development from Webster University in 1984. He was reassigned to Pacific Air Force Headquarter Staff in Hawaii and later piloted the C-9 in Illinois from 1988 to 1991. Following his military service he became a pilot at Alaska Airlines, retiring as a captain in 2008. He has been married since 1974, was saved in 1981, and is a father to two children. Todd is a fiscal conservative, Social Libertarian, Constitutionalist, rabid Anti-Marxist, and a proud patriot.