Happy Birthday! To me, that is – here I sit in front of a computer while my students take their final exam in Data Communications and Networking. I spent my 35th birthday working, two jobs to be exact, but honestly not hating it all that much. I figured now would be as good a time as any to reflect on where my life is and where it might go. As many of you are aware, today is also the running of the Boston Marathon. Ask me in January of last year, and I would have laughed if anyone mentioned the thought of me running a marathon. Fast forward to now, with my 3rd half marathon coming up this weekend, and registration for the Goofy Challenge (Half PLUS a FULL) in January 2015. I can’t honestly sit here and tell you I enjoy running all the time, but it’s one of those things that I never would have seen myself doing a few years ago.
I had to step back and look at all of the comments and Likes on Facebook to realize how my life has changed and become much more dynamic in recent years. Definitely getting married back in 2005, and now having two wonderful kids changed things for the better, but it’s more than that. The circle of friends I have now is nothing like it was even a few years ago – and honestly more reflective of all the various things I’ve gotten involved with in my life. Starting out with music (piano, organ, guitar), Martial Arts (Karate, and MMA) and that 2nd Degree Black Belt, a Private Pilot’s license, a Master’s degree for good measure – then getting into other things like my ongoing love of railroads and steam trains, flying micro R/C helicopters, archery, go-kart racing, and now most recently running. Oh yeah, and doing some writing for Inside the Iggles (sportswriting – check, never saw that one coming). And then just being a fun dad to Elaina and Alex, and having a blast with my wife Hilari – and oh yes, how could I forget, a love affair with Disney which led to my ridiculous goal of running 39.3 miles in two days next January.
Back to the friends list – grade school classmates, high school classmates, undergrad classmates, graduate classmates, karate friends, MMA friends, friends I’ve made playing the organ/piano in church, karting friends, and now a bunch of running friends. Everyone has amazing stories and experiences to share, and I’m blessed to know all of you. It’s neat to sit back and think about all those little experiences that we take for granted every day, and ultimately those same experiences that shape the fabric of our lives.
Yesterday, as I was cooking for the family Easter meal, I was thinking how times have changed the number of people at that table. Growing up, it was a large family gathering, and unfortunately, that gathering has gotten smaller over time. Hopefully, it picks back up as my kids get older. Time is that one unfortunate reality that we can’t change (yet – hopefully). But having strong relationships, friendships helps us get through the good times and the bad.
I want to send a personal thank you out to all of you that have touched my life in one way or another over these last 3 decades. Hopefully, we can share another couple decades worth of memories and life experiences. To all my running friends, let’s keep the miles going, and I will crush Goofy in January 2015 and add “MARATHONER” to my bucket list of life achievements!
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