Twenty-five years ago I couldn’t have pictured life as it is now or as it will be in the not so distant future but that is because no one could have.
The 20 year-old came downstairs and said he got the severe weather warning on the phone and figured he’d play it safe.
“The news is saying that tornado warning is almost on top of us.”
I nodded my head and we grabbed a few flashlights and sat down in the living room. No one panicked or worried about whether the storm would reach its ugly potential.
“Weathermen don’t always get it right” he said followed by his sister’s remark that she had enough of the power outages during snowmageddon.”
I made a point to grab the portable charger and placed it near my shoes and thought about conversations with dad after the Northridge earthquake and the LA riots.
We turned on the weather report and I all the rain made me feel like I had pee again and left the room. Ain’t it grand being in your fifties.
Our digital footprints provide evidence of where we have visited and give insight as to what we might be exploring, investigating and researching.
Mine and yours bear witness and so I write the secret and not so secret words and wait to see how the people react.
Get the brush off in some places and shake my head, wondering if it is intentional or not. It is what led to the current path so many years ago.
This long and winding road leads to endings and new beginnings and I find some of it fascinating because just when I think I know what to expect something happens that reminds me I only see part of the picture.
That is ok, no one said it was easy and I don’t expect it to be. All I expect is to figure it out because no one else will do it for me.
Figure there might be others who think dancing in the fire is admirable and would be willing to join for a song or 50.
And if they don’t well maybe that is their loss or maybe it is our loss. Hell, maybe it is the world’s loss, there is no saying what can happen when you feel supported and powerful.
Doesn’t mean you have to have that extra set of hands to stand on your own, but there is something special that comes with that extra set.
****
Listening to the kids talk I alternate between pride and laughter. They have a world that belongs to them and is separate from mom and dad.
Makes me happy because they need that separation and because the conversation in general shows they’ll be able to run the race on their own.
That is the goal and though it doesn’t mean their won’t be struggles for them it does mean I can consider a time where I am nothing more than a guy who they can consult with as needed.
Doesn’t mean their won’t be more than that, but it does mean my progeny will be able to stand on their own and that is not something I see from all.
That is a solid accomplishment and worthy of note.
Becomes more important and more meaningful the closer I get to the second half.
A few minutes past midnight, sitting with Johnny listening to him ask what he has become and how he remembers everything.
I nod my head, tell him I ask the same questions and smile because I know a few things and some of them are because of what I see in those digital footprints.
Time to visit the electronic billboard and leave my message and see what has been left for me.
What a ride it has been.
