I was born Franklin Amos Mattson in Jennersville, PA in 1963, the last child to Thomas and Janet Mattson. I have two older brothers–Thomas and James–and an older sister–Sara. The first four or five years of my life, I imagined full of turmoil only because of the simple fact that I was not living with my biological family. I lived with an Aunt for a while but I don’t remember that time period. My first memory was when I was four or five years old. It was my birthday and I was living with a foster family in Delaware. It was a happy moment of my young life. I still visited my biological family at times supervised by the State. I spent most of my younger years with that foster family until I was 12 years old. At that point, they adopted me. Shortly thereafter, they divorced so I was in another broken home. After the divorce, I lived with my adopted mother. That was a difficult time. I had no father figure to help me learn about things growing up into manhood. My adopted mother and I always argued and I ran away from home several times. Most of the time I would just wonder around downtown and end up going back home when school started up the next week. Looking back, I can say that I did a good job with what I had to deal with. In my teen years, I had my share of trouble. I was a quiet, shy kid looking for something to fill a void in my life. Getting in trouble was a way of getting attention, but the wrong kind of attention. I remember the last time I got into trouble when I was a teenager. A police officer pulled me aside and talked with me. One of the things he said to me, “You don’t belong here. You’re a good kid and I don’t want to see you waste your life away.” That got me thinking. I was sixteen, the man in the family since the divorce, and I had to find myself.
Still I did not know what I wanted to do with my life. Instead of staying at home and doing nothing, I decided to join the service. One weekend I went to the mall where the recruiting offices were. The only one open was the Marine Corps. A Sergeant greeted me at the door. He was dressed in his blues uniform. At 16, just the look of the uniform was impressive. Talking to him made me feel that I belonged. That night I signed up. Since I was under age my adopted mother had to sign me in. The Corps did straighten me out and I received my training in the field of my choice. As a bonus, I traveled around the world. I lived in Japan for over a year. By the way, great people and culture. If you ever have the chance to visit, I would highly recommend it. Most of my travels have been with the Marine Corps. I only put in eight years. Nevertheless, they were great years. I have met and worked with the finest men and women in the world. The things I have learned while in the Marine Corps have made me the man I am today.
After the Corps, I found work in the computer field. I have seen the computer evolve over the past 30 years from big mainframe computers with vacuum tubes to the small laptops, tablets, and cell phones that I am currently using today. That has been a journey in itself. I have totally enjoyed my endeavors in the past and am hopeful to find satisfaction in my writing. I decided a few years ago–when threats of layoffs from my job–that I would try my hand at my dream of writing. I have written a few short stories and also working on a novel. In closing, I hope you enjoy my website as you partake in my journey in this fork of the road called LIFE.
What’s your novel about? Good for you! I like what you’ve got going here on your site so far. 🙂
Jessica, I am glad you asked about my novel. I started writing it last year and I was about 25% in and I just lost my writing. Not the ideas or plot but just the words. I struggled for awhile and then someone suggested to me to start a blog. Interesting…so here I am. My novel is in the same genre as authors like Robert Ludlum, Clive Cussler, and Tom Clancy. The thriller, action, adventure type. The link for my other web site is in the footer of my blog or http://www.frankreece.com. Hope you enjoy my blog.
I’m sorry I never responded to this, Frank. I’ll bet the start of your novel is really good. I’ve never even attempted to write a book. Thus far, my pieces on my rock-climbing accident are the longest linked pieces I’ve written… I just looked at your other site, too, and read a little of your bio. Wow! All I can say is that my hat is off to you.
Thank you.
🙂
Thank you so much for your comment and follow Frank. Have a great week. Ralph
Thank you so much for following my blog & I am looking forward to experience new things through your blog.:) Be happy
Thank you very much for following me. I look forward with earnest to reading more from you.
enjoy life Frank
Thank you Frank for liking recent post and following my blog. I look forward to reading more from a fellow writer. I am so glad you are manifesting your dreams of writing. Isn’t it healing? Best wishes for your forthcoming book.
Thank you for your encouraging words.
Thank you for liking my posts about Japanese literature and for following my blog. I am looking forward reading your writings.
HooOOOoooWWWWWwwwwLLLLLLLLoooooooo Frank 🙂 Thank you for the follow! And welcome to the Pack 😉 Greetings from the icy world of Europa! I’m not sure where you’re hailing from, but here in the UK it’s just turned midnight so this is mostly to say thanks, obviously but also that I will be back in the next day or so to check your highly interesting blog out properly Currently I am just padding through on my way to check out the Full Moon and am not officially here on W/P as it were! See you soon! 🙂
Hi Frank
Pleased to meet you. :).
My name is Kevin Gillespie, I do, MUCH prefer being called Kev though. :).
I live in Wales, & am now Following your Blog. :).
Best Wishes. 🙂
Kev. 🙂
Pleased to meet you too Kev. Thanks for the follow.
Take care.
Peace!!!
Thanks Frank, No problem.
Yes, You too.
Peace.
Hi Frank, what’s your novel about?
Frank, you have liked several of my posts and then given me a follow and I am only just getting round to say thanks. Ajaytao’s reblog of my post has meant I have had alot more traffic than usual. Like you, someone told me to just try starting a blog after I was made redundant. Loving it, but will have to do something a bit more at some point. Hope you enjoy more of the posts and will look to see how the writing develops. MM 🍀
Thanks for the follow and the comments. Recently I have been more motivated and inspired to do writing but now I just have to carve out time to do it. Thanks again.
Peace!!!