Well, today I have been on this earth forty years. Sure seems like it too. I look back and several things come to mind. Growing up in my little “house” in NW Iowa. The winters full of snow waiting to hear school closings. We used to get snow by the foot, not by the inch. And yes, I did walk to school up hill both ways. Had little hills to slide down or make a fort in by our house. I always looked forward to going to friends of my parents house that lived out in the country. They would have thirty foot piles of snow from their farm land they would pile up ( at least it felt that way being 8-9 years old. It was probably closer to 6-7 feet.) Lots of room to sled and just spend the days off of school.
I remember the summers of T-ball and summer recreation activities every morning and afternoon. Usually swimming lessons were included for a while. Summers were maybe a time for vacation. Driving with the windows down, reading the Looney Tunes comic books on the way to the destination. The “your breathing my air” argument didn’t happen in our car, ever. Not with that man behind the wheel. He got so mad at us one time on the way back from the Black Hills he said if we didn’t behave he was going to turn that car around. Dad, we are on our way home, if you turn the car around we will be back at the motel. Ya so, anyway…
Awkward teenage years. Couldn’t really seem to find where I fit. I could talk to almost anyone, but just couldn’t really fit it with anyone. The groups I was comfortable in were ones that were older or younger then me, not the ones in my class too much. I didn’t go to the right church, I didn’t wear the right clothes even though I felt like I cared about how I look and did the best I could. The wild and crazy time between the time I was 18 and my upper 20s is still a little fuzzy about a few things. Lots of partying, doing everything that parents wish their kids wouldn’t do, especially in a small town, but it happened, a lot, every day. Moved out of the town to the other side of the state and started over. Loved it there. Spent ten years there, got married, had three kids, no one really knew me too much, not like in Sheldon. A few years in the food business, a lot more years in the cleaning/restoration business. I learned a lot in those ten years.
The Orlando, Florida stage in my life is where I grew the most. Met my now wife, learned a lot about finances and business, met some wonderful friends who I am still in contact with. Owned my first home there as well. My yard, my garage, my pool. It was all good. Lots of memories in that house. Wedding reception, lots of people living with us we helped out. Good times. My then fiance’ loosing most of her sight in her one eye, then a year or so later, most of the hearing in her one ear. Moving mom to Florida in 06-07. Small town woman is now there by herself, independent, living on her own. Proud of my mom for not letting things stand in her way anymore. Powerful woman, don’t mess with her.
Texas called almost a year ago and here we are. After some crazy times here, I know God is about to bust something open. I know you are still with us Lord, thru all our shortcomings, mistakes, and frustrations. I know you have seen all we have gone thru, I know you have heard every cry out to you. I thank you for all you are going to do. I give you all the honor, glory, and praise today for my future, for it lies in your hands.
