There is a book waiting for my response. It is a gift for a gift, one generation asking its predecessor to share with them. I have found myself reflecting on the things of life. As I think of the ink that will be the medium, I know it was never about material things. For me, life’s highs and lows have been defined by my relationships and the journeys I have shared. Today, it sounds as if I am embracing an instruction from generations before me: “Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, ‘I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you.’” (Hebrews 13.5). I know it was never about being told what to do. The defining individuals in my life modelled what could not be purchased or acquired. They showed me how to live with passion and care with purpose. I have experienced that life can be shared on every level with their guidance.
Life’s extraordinary things are without a price. I close my eyes and feel my mother’s love and laughter as a child. I see her mischievously encouraging me to live out on life’s edge. As the picture expands, I see my father introducing me to sounds and feelings of speed at age eight as I learned to shift gears while sitting between the bucket seats of the white ’63 Corvette convertible. I cannot imagine what I would trade for the craziness of my journey and the relationships along the way.
Experience will always be with you. I have lost many battles and several wars. Along the way, great relationships and collaborative teamwork led to achievements everyone said were impossible. From motorcycles to cars, to comradery and beyond, individuals, fraternities, and communities have banded together to create memories that are pearls and gems in my life. To everyone crazy enough to be involved, thank you for gifting me with amazing stories to tell.
It is fun to remember, continue to live, and share and learn. My life’s ink is still fresh.
