--June 23 marks Sonic's 13th birthday! Time for a humongous birthday speech!--


I think this is the appropriate time to say just why this little blue hedgehog plays such a big part in my life.

Don't get me wrong, Sonic's always been a favorite of mine. We go way back, back to the days of diapers and strained carrots. Every day was another rip-roaring adventure. But the years went by, and as I hit adolescence, I began to develop clinical depression, an imbalance of chemicals in my brain. The whole world slowly seemed to go dark. (those who have experienced this know exactly what I'm talking about.)

I couldn't enjoy the things I used to enjoy, I couldn't be happy about anything. And soon I reached an all-time low around the end of the year before last. I was so afraid I might hurt myself, I prayed and prayed that I might find a miracle.

Luckily I was soon taken in to the doctor and was prescribed a medication to level off my chemical imbalances. Even as the darkness was lifted and there was once again light in the world, a part of me was still gone, a part of my spirit that was just too fargone to recover. I was damaged from the trauma of severe depression. At a loss, I thought I was never going to be who I used to be...ever again.

But that's when my miracle came.

One day, I spontaneously crossed the path of the blue hedgehog once more. It had been a few years since I'd even remembered who he was. But with him came all of my childhood memories, all of my happier times. He brought with him what I had lost for so long.

My friends, God answers your prayers, whether the answer is yes, no, or ask again later. And if you allow Him into your life, even at the darkest of times, one way or another He'll find you. He'll show you a way out of your cage, even if the way is through a little blue hedgehog.

So that's my story. Sonic, to me, was God throwing out a lifeline and yelling "Grab on! You can still make it out of this!". I found my way back out of the dark. And if any of you out there are struggling with a similar problem, remember...If God throws you a lifeline, don't turn away. Grab on and fight the dark like hell. Because I made it back. The impossible is possible.

On this day I'd like to thank a few people who have left impressions on my life, people who have also helped me through hard times and people who have inspired me to just keep on keepin' on:

My family (love and support)
Ma (you showed me how to deal with being a teenager)
Pa (you thought I was awesome even though I was not an orthodox thinker)
My lil' bro (thanks for believing in me)
My lil' sis (thanks for sticking up for me even when it was the hardest)
Alicia McKay (the sweetest and coolest friend and Tails lover)
Zac Nicoletta (power rangers for 10 years and counting! )
Rachael Gormley (Thanks for participating in my moments of insanity ^__^)
Kelsey Luck (For making the good times better! BUTT DANCE BUTT DAAANCE!!)
Yuji Naka (might I say "duh"?)
Sonic Team (For all those AWESOME games!)
Jesus (Allelujah!!)
Julie Miller (the greatest teacher on the face of the earth)
All who are kind to me and compliment my art (You make every day a little better with each friendly word)

Thank you for reading this important message. Today I appreciate everything I have. I love life. I'm likely the happiest person alive. And I owe it all to God and one little blue hedgehog.

Thank you Sonic. Happy birthday ol' friend.