Very good point Glen (sorry to hear your story but happy you didn't give up. My deepest respect man!)
I'd have a smiliar story to tell.
I lost my family when I was a young gun in my very early 20s, just starting to approach life. I tryied to run when I couldn't walk...
I lost all I ever loved when my mother became victim of brutal violence, and I watched her die for 5 years, she was unable to move, couldn't speak... my sister and I screwed up and me being a wild breed that I was, unable to make things right, made every mistake I could make in life for the next 20 years.
I screwed up with anyone who ever loved me, or tryed to love me. I broke myself, I gave up on myself many times... I hated myself for what I 've become, being able to be brutal and harsh to my own feelings, hurting myself, violating my mind, my sould, my heart, my body, my life... for so many years.
I was dead man (seriously) back in July last year (2013). I laid myself down to die, alone. The phone rang... it was my sister. 16 years of no contact...
I spend last christmas with the living part of my family.
I still struggle hard in live, trying to find my place, make my peace, find love, make myself a home and a live worth living.
Life as well as poker has tought me few things and no matter what happens and what not, I never forget what I have learned.
I learned how tough I am. Nothing can break me down and hold me down, there is always the point in time when I stand up and fight, until my last breath...
I am still able to love, so I will still be able to live.
BE HUMBLE! And NEVER GIVE UP!
Things will go your way, if not today, then tomorrow... 8)