It was good to see Don

I will be the first to admit that for the most part I am not so good with dates. It is a rare year indeed that bears sufficient importance for me to actually peg it in mind somehow. 1995 is one of those exceptions.
I was in Denver at the time going to school. At the time I wanted to be a preacher. It was a way to help people and was something I genuinely believed in and really wanted to do. In some ways I think I would have been great at it.
At the time I was very much a people person. The average individual I met enjoyed my company and found me to be a pleasant conversationalist, a helpful human being, and just all around Mr. Nice Guy. I also had a talent for instruction in a fun yet informative way. I still have people who talk about individual lessons I gave and how much they were helped by it.
Well, those who know me know about the rough patch...my Grandpa died, I came back for the funeral, the day I got back to Denver my future father in law died so I went to South Dakota for that funeral, my Aunt Donna died, Grace Buckles died, Vicky Miller died, I have lost track of the others, but there were a couple more and Mom was in hospice, so I quit school and came home to Oregon until she died just a few weeks later.
I probably should have gone back, but life gets in the way. Andrea and I had gotten married since Mom REALLY wanted to see that...Dad believes to this day she was hanging on until she saw us married, and since she died the day after...well, I suppose I won;t argue the point. Regardless, with a wife and, of course, we took in her orphaned siblings, it was rough to go back to Denver.
I suppose most of you who read this know enough about how that train wreck turned out...and obviously I never went back to school in Denver. Not that I regret my time at PSU...I really enjoy it and, in its own way, when I get my book published it will indeed be rewarding...but it deals only with such a relatively unimportant thing when I used to actually make a difference.
I am not complaining. I made my choices, I believed we should be forgiving, although you could certainly argue without much opposition I was probably too forgiving...but sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I had gone back to Bible College instead of hanging out here in Oregon.
Yesterday was kind of rough. I mean, on the one hand it was exceptionally cool...I am so impressed that Emily has shown the intestinal fortitude to train for and run the half marathon. That takes tremendous commitment and I think it is amazing. At the same time, I am a little disappointed with myself.
I mean, sure, I have done stand-up and my Native American/pop culture book is going to be hot when I finish it...I enjoy writing the fun trilogy as well...and now that I am studying a spot of moviemaking I am excited about that...and I enjoyed the classes on Salsa and practice a little almost every day...so it is not like I am short on projects...but I have not FINISHED any of them yet. School, every time I turn around it seems like another semester is gone and all I have to show for it is a letter on my wall praising my accomplishment for that period of time...but I am so little closer to graduating...
I guess I just need to actually finish one of my projects so I have that in my pocket.
What does this have to do with Don? Well, I guess I was a little down yesterday about not having actually accomplished anything. I am nearly 34 and all I have to show for my own life is a failed marriage, a few school credits, and some really good friendships.
Don's message this morning was strong and really touched a chord with me. I have accomplished one thing. I think I have been a good friend, brother, and son. And that does mean something. And after feeling mighty low yesterday...I think I am as encouraged now as I have been in some time. Don, I know you will never read this...but thank you. May God bless your travels and efforts.