Jeff, this is a wonderful, wonderfully honest piece. That shift from asking kids what they want to be to what problem they want to solve is a profound lens—and Mary’s leap from cosmetology to aerospace engineering shows just how magical those unexpected sparks can be. It is so true that life rarely follows a straight, pre-scripted path; it’s an unpredictable tapestry woven from sheer serendipity, key influencers, and, as you so vividly proved, the occasional ill-fated collision with a parking meter sign. Looking forward to reading Part 2 to see how that sudden pivot unfolded.
Thanks, Dennis. It took me decades to tell the story of the parking meter. I'm sure anyone I'd told would have seen it as out of character. But to me, it fits who I was at the time and how it shaped who I became. Many thanks for your comments.
When the actor, Daniel J Stevens, who played the character Matthew Crawley on Downton Abbey decided to leave the series to pursue other opportunities threw most everybody upside down & backward. But, the writer saw unexpected storylines opening up that could never have been imagined but for that void.
I say this only because you noted the shift in Mary's plans & Jeff added a comment about his own shaping in life.
Wisdom is a long time coming but when it arrives it's not alone. Wisdom is hand-in-hand with fate or destiny or fortune or coincidence - all messages for the taking
Jeff, my itinerary was a bit different insofar as I absolutely, without question or pause knew what I wanted to be: a Catholic priest! There was no talking me out of it when I was 12. The dilemma came along when I was dismissed from the HS seminary at the height of the VN war, lost my years-long dream, and got drafted. Funny how things work their way out. Looking back, for a variety of reasons I would not have made a great priest, and likely would not have continued in that life, especially the celibate part of it! Can't wait to read episode two.
It's always interesting to look at the turning points, especially what prompted them. My f-i-l was in the seminary for years, and then threw the white towel into the ring. His Polish Catholic parents were devastated, but he knew that life wasn't for him. He went on to teach English and literature for much of 35 years. He's deadly on crossword puzzles. Thanks for reading and commenting. Part 2 on Friday.
Many of you know that I served as a USNavy nurse working in pediatrics. Yes, my dad & uncles were in the USNavy—one barely escaping Pearl Harbor on a ship. So, there was history of a sort to prompt me in a military direction.
But the truth of the matter is I had fallen in love with all things South Pacific. I knew all the songs by heart having learned them by listening to dad's record. I wanted to be the next Nellie Forbush.
What happened next? Not Broadway ..... but eventually I wound my way to podcasting. A stage of sorts for stories.
Oh my - as Dennis said, the shift in the narrative is really good. But I have to say that seeing the parking meter with a "Time Expired" sign shook me. I rarely, if ever, see parking meters but it was the "time expired" part that hit me.
I was one who knew exactly what I wanted to be - on Broadway. What I didn't understand until I tried that route was that it took A LOT of work - work I wasn't all that crazy about. So I went into the Marine Corps. Go figure.
I can only hope that the alcohol numbed the pain after your jump. 😲
"Time Expired" is an interesting metaphor for my life in the short term after the parking meter incident, as you'll see in part 2.
We have company in town and went to see Aladdin on Broadway last night. Unreal talent, especially the genie. Certainly a lot of work.
The alcohol and (?) definitely numbed me up good until the doctor had to start removing the sterile cord. I never want to experience pain like that again, but I felt it was payback for being so stupid. Thanks for reading, commenting, and for your service, Marine.
Oh my, what a tale, OUCH, and with a cliffhanger, yet! Love that you were already interviewing people about their work (the janitor). Love the humor here (laughing out loud). Can't wait for Part 2...and the revelation reveal.
Jeff, this is a wonderful, wonderfully honest piece. That shift from asking kids what they want to be to what problem they want to solve is a profound lens—and Mary’s leap from cosmetology to aerospace engineering shows just how magical those unexpected sparks can be. It is so true that life rarely follows a straight, pre-scripted path; it’s an unpredictable tapestry woven from sheer serendipity, key influencers, and, as you so vividly proved, the occasional ill-fated collision with a parking meter sign. Looking forward to reading Part 2 to see how that sudden pivot unfolded.
Thanks, Dennis. It took me decades to tell the story of the parking meter. I'm sure anyone I'd told would have seen it as out of character. But to me, it fits who I was at the time and how it shaped who I became. Many thanks for your comments.
When the actor, Daniel J Stevens, who played the character Matthew Crawley on Downton Abbey decided to leave the series to pursue other opportunities threw most everybody upside down & backward. But, the writer saw unexpected storylines opening up that could never have been imagined but for that void.
I say this only because you noted the shift in Mary's plans & Jeff added a comment about his own shaping in life.
Wisdom is a long time coming but when it arrives it's not alone. Wisdom is hand-in-hand with fate or destiny or fortune or coincidence - all messages for the taking
Serendipity rules! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Jeff, my itinerary was a bit different insofar as I absolutely, without question or pause knew what I wanted to be: a Catholic priest! There was no talking me out of it when I was 12. The dilemma came along when I was dismissed from the HS seminary at the height of the VN war, lost my years-long dream, and got drafted. Funny how things work their way out. Looking back, for a variety of reasons I would not have made a great priest, and likely would not have continued in that life, especially the celibate part of it! Can't wait to read episode two.
It's always interesting to look at the turning points, especially what prompted them. My f-i-l was in the seminary for years, and then threw the white towel into the ring. His Polish Catholic parents were devastated, but he knew that life wasn't for him. He went on to teach English and literature for much of 35 years. He's deadly on crossword puzzles. Thanks for reading and commenting. Part 2 on Friday.
A touching story with a surprising bloody ending !
Oh, but we're not at the ending yet! Stay tuned for part 2. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Many of you know that I served as a USNavy nurse working in pediatrics. Yes, my dad & uncles were in the USNavy—one barely escaping Pearl Harbor on a ship. So, there was history of a sort to prompt me in a military direction.
But the truth of the matter is I had fallen in love with all things South Pacific. I knew all the songs by heart having learned them by listening to dad's record. I wanted to be the next Nellie Forbush.
What happened next? Not Broadway ..... but eventually I wound my way to podcasting. A stage of sorts for stories.
Well done, Jeff!
Oh my - as Dennis said, the shift in the narrative is really good. But I have to say that seeing the parking meter with a "Time Expired" sign shook me. I rarely, if ever, see parking meters but it was the "time expired" part that hit me.
I was one who knew exactly what I wanted to be - on Broadway. What I didn't understand until I tried that route was that it took A LOT of work - work I wasn't all that crazy about. So I went into the Marine Corps. Go figure.
I can only hope that the alcohol numbed the pain after your jump. 😲
"Time Expired" is an interesting metaphor for my life in the short term after the parking meter incident, as you'll see in part 2.
We have company in town and went to see Aladdin on Broadway last night. Unreal talent, especially the genie. Certainly a lot of work.
The alcohol and (?) definitely numbed me up good until the doctor had to start removing the sterile cord. I never want to experience pain like that again, but I felt it was payback for being so stupid. Thanks for reading, commenting, and for your service, Marine.
😊
Oh my, what a tale, OUCH, and with a cliffhanger, yet! Love that you were already interviewing people about their work (the janitor). Love the humor here (laughing out loud). Can't wait for Part 2...and the revelation reveal.
Thanks, Debbie. I was channeling you when I decided to make it a two-piece event.