"Life to me is what you truly make it. If you want destruction, that's what you will receive in life. If you want goodness, and you go for it, that's what you will get."
Born and raised in Seattle's Madrona neighborhood, Michael Cook is getting his life back. No, wait; He's taking it back. After years of alcohol and drug addiction, Michael, now 52, is clean and sober. And he intends to stay that way.
"Living the life that I've lived, I'm pretty shocked that I've made it this far," Michael says earnestly. "I've got a clear mind... I've got goals in life."
Two years ago, Michael went back to school to start achieving his goals, attending Bates Technical College and becoming certified as a Facilities Maintenance Engineer. While in school, he sold Real Change, kicked his addiction, and got into transitional housing after years of living on the streets. "Once I started getting involved with Real Change, I realized that this was an opportunity to change my life around," Michael says. "I took that and I ran with it."
Now, Michael commutes from Rainier Valley to Aurora Village to sell his papers, where he has a pool of friends and supporters.
"I love coming out here, I love seeing these people," he tells me. "They've showed me that I am somebody. I am not a piece of junk."
The more we talk, the more Michael shares with me, it becomes clear that he has transcended what so many find impossible; He has stopped simply existing, and has started living. He has taken control of his destiny: "I'm doing the right things in life, and if I go just one day at a time, that's all I need."
To Real Change customers, he says: "Your support, your smiles, and your few words are deeply appreciated. Thank you."
Michael is currently looking for full- or part-time work in the janitorial/maintenance field; so if you know of anything, contact [email protected].