Several years ago I was having a crisis of faith. Not in the Big Guy upstairs, but in me. It always seems to come around the years that end in zero. This time, it was the big 5-0. I was looking back at my life and wondering what had I done with it. What had I accomplished?
So, being a writer, I wrote it all down. From the extremely basic – learned to walk and talk – to some very unique experiences, ones that defined who I am.
After 122 lines, I was through. Not bad, 122 accomplishments large and small in my 50 years. To give you a little idea of what’s on the list, I will include some highlights. I’ve taken out a few that I don’t think are fit for public consumption and others that, well, were just too basic.
Here we go:
- Attended the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle
- Been in the hospital once
- Been on a cruise through the Panama Canal
- Been on TV (many times)
- Been punched three times
- Been through six earthquakes
- Been through three hurricanes
- Been to Belize, Cozumel, Cancun, Curacao, St. Thomas, Roatan, Guajana, Cayman Islands, Moorea and Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas
- Been to 23 states
- Broke one bone (ring finger, left hand)
- Built a tank out of a 62 Galaxy
- Built working parachutes and automatic openers for GI Joe’s
- Came ashore in a WWII landing craft
- Chased criminals down with a baseball bat in my bare feet
- Conceived, wrote and produced shows for marching bands
- Created a board game
- Danced with a Miss Universe contestant
- Designed a 40’ space shuttle exhibit
- Designed an award-winning community float
- Designed and built sets for a high school play
- Earned a BA degree in Journalism
- Earned an AA degree in Communications
- Founded two non-profits
- Got married in Vegas in pirate costume
- Got married on national TV
- Got ticketed just once – but stopped twice
- Graduated 63rd in my class of 367 in high school
- Graduated with honors from high school and community college
- Had two children
- Have seen ghosts and UFOs
- Have never hit anyone in anger as an adult
- Learned how to ride a unicycle
- Learned to juggle
- Learned to paint
- Learned to play banjo and tenor guitar
- Learned to play trumpet and French horn
- Learned to sail
- Learned to walk on stilts
- Lived in California, Florida and Washington
- Named a community theater
- Named Best Photographer and Best Journalist in college
- Never been arrested (yet)
- Performed and partied with sailors on a British warship
- Wrote and performed in a show that was backed by a full orchestra
- Performed at Sail Boston 1992
- Sang in Captain Tony’s where Buffett did also
- Saw a volcano erupt
- Served on a Congressional Advisory Board
- Skied (snow)
- Skydived twice at 16
- Started my own business
- Survived three car accidents
- Walked in the footsteps of pirates in Port Royal
- Was a fireman in a Queensryche music video
- Was editor of the high school paper and college newspaper
- Was named Man of the Year (Hi-Yu)
- Won an award at county fair for my L’egg Models
- Won Best Exhibit Awards twice at tradeshows
- Wrote and recorded an award winning radio spot
- Wrote and performed three different pirate plays
Some of the things I had completely forgotten about, such as being an arsonistic fireman for Queensryche’s European tour. Wish I could find that video now. Or the fact that I had founded two non-profits. One was around about 20 years, the other still is, some two decades later.
After looking over them as I wrote this column I couldn’t find one that I could say was any more amazing or significant than another. I felt kind of bad about that, initially. The pat answer is always, “my children.” And believe me, they are. They were by far my two best creations and I love them to death.
And then it occurred to me. I can’t choose any over another because they are all the sum of me. They are what made me who I am today. All the good, the bad and the downright ugly. It’s been a heckuva ride over the years and I wouldn’t take a single thing away.
So, if you ever find yourself questioning your life or what you’ve accomplished, create a list yourself. Start with the very basics (walking, talking, etc.) and then remember all the things that you have experienced and accomplished along the way. It can be hilarious, poignant, remarkable or mundane. I’m sure I could have hundreds more on my own list if I just thought a little harder. But somehow 122 was enough. I felt accomplished.
Thankfully, I have a couple more years before I have another zero birthday to contemplate. I hope in the intervening years I have a lot more adventures to add to the list. And I hope, no, I am sure, there will be some real doozies to be added.
The only difference is that I need to start writing them down more often. Who knows what my memory will be like when I’m 60 or 70 or…
Somewhere on the Treasure Coast, cooking up new things to add to the list,
– Robb