Do it Like Your life Depends on It

Today is my Birthday. 52 revolutions around the sun. As Al Pacino said in "Scent of A Women" I am at the crossroads in my life. Not the cross roads I was at when I graduated high school. I knew what I was doing then, I was going to go jump out of airplanes. So I did for 22 years. Not the crossroads I was at when I retired from the military. I knew what I was doing then. I was getting a job and becoming successful. I think I have done that over the last 10 years as well.

No, I am at a crossroads of purpose. For a long time I have been feeling a lack of purpose. Back in the day everything I did had a purpose. We did everything like our lives depended on it. More often than not it did. Now a days I feel like I am going through the motions. Like I am just showing up an making the doughnuts. Nothing really means anything. The lack of professionalism among most of my workforce or even a shred of caring about the quality of their work is wearing me down. My outside activities where I work as a Paramedic or serve as a Reserve Law Enforcement Officer is where I feel that old sense of purpose.

However I am in a trap. Success has trapped me. To leave the current situation behind would mean a significant disruption in the life of my family. I need to find someplace where I can once again have a purpose and do things like my life depended on it.

Happy Birthday Mother-From Your Only Child

Today is my Mother's Birthday. What do you say or give to the person who gave you life? Kinda seems pointless somehow. Life, how can you possibly top life?

My Mom had 6 children and currently has 12 grandchildren. I am the oldest so I along with my sister who is one year younger, got the benefit of the mommy experimental years. I got to wear the homemade shirts (pretty snazzy) and rock the jagged cutoffs (so they wouldn't fringe,hello Mother that was the point).However I also got to ride my bike anywhere I wanted, catch ground squirrels in the park and play hide and seek with the other kids until way after dark. My Mom worked full time as a teacher so I learned to cook at an early age to help take care of my younger siblings. We also joke that this is a survival tactic as the only temperature setting on the stove my Mother knows is High. I went through most of my formative years eating stuff that was charred on the bottom and cold on the top. Don't take it personal Mother, you helped produce some awesome cooks and we never went to bed hungry,not one day. My Mom taught at the same high school I graduated from so when I was in high school I got away with nothing, not one thing. I gave up trying eventually. Thanks for getting me educated Mom ,when I could have been goofing around or smoking weed in the parking lot like some of my buddies.

The unique thing about my Mother and the thing that is often commented on is how she treats each and everyone of us as if we are the only child/grandchild she has. It is an amazing process. I still don't know how she does it. She pours her entire energy into each and every situation, and she makes you feel like you are the favorite. Which you are, until your brother calls and she does the same for him. People that don't understand  my Mother may call her pushy,demanding,nosy. I call that knowing what needs to get done and not caring how she accomplishes it. She rarely cares what anyone thinks about her. She sets out with a goal and pushes and pushes and pushes until it is accomplished. She does this because she cares deeply about her children and grandchildren and wants the very best for them.Nothing is more important than family to her, and if you don't get that, she figures your not worth the time it would take to explain it.

This attitude that I got from her, got me through a 22 year military career. It got me through Airborne School,Ranger School, The Special Forces Qualification Course, and many many other "gut checks." It followed me into combat and training. This attitude helped create a family of successful productive citizens who love their country. This attitude produced a career military man, a high school teacher, a civil engineer, two sheet metal workers, and a secretary. This attitude produced masters degrees, bachelor degrees journeyman,foreman, welders , emergency medical technicians, law enforcement officers, sports officials, and coaches. This attitude produced wrestlers,basketball players, golfers, and football players. This attitude produced scientists,writers, illustrators, bakers, and leaders. This attitude showed children what they can do not what they can't.

What do you give the person who gave you life? You give her a life back, 18 successful lives.

Happy Birthday-Mother from your only child