I’m doing my best to create each day anew with the tools and circumstances available to me. I retired 15 years ago at 40, but I had kids to raise until 2019. So, I did that to the best of my ability. When the youngest went to college, I set out to travel the country in a 16’ RV. COVID made that an unusual journey, but no more unusual than it likely would have been, just unusual in a different way. After 3 years, my first of 3 grandchildren was born, so I parked the RV and bought a house around the corner from them to get a front row seat to that amazing show. It’s so much easier being a grandparent, than being a parent. Apparently, my presence is really helpful. So, I’ve got that going for me. I almost got married again, but I would have had to move away to do so. Ultimately, I decided against it and ended the engagement. That’s still fresh, and it hurts a little to accept that a lifelong romantic relationship seems not to be in the cards for me. It’s a shame too. I always liked being somebody’s guy. But, I’ve got guitars that I play in all kinds of alternate tunings that give me a glimpse into the underlying sounds and rhythms of the universe. I was always waiting for my past to catch up with me since I worked in some crazy environments, 911 work even including some 9/11 WTC work. But, I started working with a therapist a while back, and now I’m of the impression that I packed all that stuff away properly the first time. I think I just needed someone to tell me that as unlikely as it may seem to me, it was possible. Now, I don’t worry about the past so much. Money is tight, but I have what I need, and that’s enough. I still wonder if I have some unmistakable grand work of art left in me. I court the muses sometimes to answer that question. But, it all only happens one day at a time. I goad myself along sometimes by telling myself, “It’s a great day to have a great day.” I suppose that works more times than not. Some days I’m a little empty. Some days I’m a little full. I keep some optimism around to set me on the right foot when things get wobbly. It gives me some solace to remember I’m just another latch key kid from the 70’s who grew up on a bike having adventures with friends. I’m still that kid, just trying to apply it to yet another crazy decade.