📖 My Why
I started writing as a coping mechanism years ago. It was the only way I could organise my thoughts and make sense of the chaos in my head. And like so many other veterans, the idea of publishing a book tugged at me - not for fame, not for recognition, but simply to leave something behind for my son.
But life got in the way. My writing ended up buried on a hard drive, gathering digital dust. Then two events hit me with the kind of force you don’t walk away from unchanged.
I lost a friend to suicide.
And not long after, my own body failed me. Kidney failure. Lifesaving haemodialysis. A hospital bed that felt far too close to a final one.
Lying there, staring at the ceiling, hooked up to machines keeping me alive—I made a promise to myself: publish the book. Good enough or not. polished or rough. Just get it out into the world.
I never expected it to resonate the way it has. The response has blindsided me in the best possible way, and the kindness people have shown has been overwhelming.
If you’re a veteran, I’d tell you this: write. Not necessarily to publish, not for strangers on shelves, but for yourself. For the people you love. For the stories that deserve to be heard—even if only by you.
Andy, honored that you have shared you experiences here and proud to own a copy of your book. I also have it on audible and listen to it in the car. Its crazy how so many of us have shared experiences and how few are willing to wear it on their sleeve. Keep doing the awesome work on the podcasts and pushing the message.