So this coming January I will turn 50. Although the chances of making it to 100 are slight given my rebellious pancreas gave up the ghost nearly 40 of those winters ago, it nevertheless feels like “mid-life.” As such, I will accept the reality I’m lingering at the precipice of the proverbial hill as license to spend 2015 in reflection. A those-who-don’t-learn-from-their-past-are-doomed, if you will. “Write it down; write it down; write…it…down!” my soul keeps telling me. And so I’ve agreed.
Looking back, there are days which stand out from the crowd to accept their place as form-work for the man I’ve become. They’ve shaped me with inspiration, encouragement, reward and at other times with disillusion, defeat, and sorrow. Now we all know a life is not formed only by single, extraordinary moments. There are weeks, months, years, even decades of circumstances that chisel us. I get that. But as I look back I do see solitary events that stand out as place markers for those seasons; they are defining moments where my perceptions, my reactions, my prejudices were forever altered. Granted I was just an ordinary white kid who grew up to live a perfectly ordinary American life. But I agree with Pam Beasley Halpert when she reflects in The Office television series finale, “there’s a lot of beauty in ordinary things.” I hope you will be inspired by these most (adjective) days. It is my intent to publish them somewhat regularly throughout 2015. Without further ado, here is the first installment…
learning2breathe 
Good job, Mark!
I am looking forward to your next entry. Funny how we can retain certain things from our past so vividly and then realize just why that was meant to be. I’m following you!
Thank you, Rich!
Thank you, David. It was an exercise in gratitude.
Brother, that is some awesome writing there. Your choice of words on a page allowed me to actually be there with you. God bless. Please keep me posted when you make new entries.
John
Thanks John! I will do just that.
As a parent, for me anyway, sometimes I believe and sometimes I just have to have faith. 🙂 The whole time I was reading this is was terrified you were going to get hurt on that bike. I was “white knuckling” the whole time.
Funny….
Brought back the good old days of riding dirt bikes out in the country where I grew up too. I don’t feel that old but man what a different life! Glad we survived dirt bikes (and cold creeks, winter camp outs, BB gun tag and most importantly….double dog dares!). Thanks for the reminder Mark. Great writing!
Thanks Don. I’m glad I could help bring back some great memories.
Mark,
Your blog was very insightful. We could relate to many things you wrote. Interesting read before we meet you this weekend. Hope you can be inspired to use your talent to make our dream come true…K & K