Daily writing prompt

What does “having it all” mean to you? Is it attainable?

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As it is often portrayed in various media, it means nothing to me. It smacks of frivolous, material pursuits, artificiality, skewed perceptions of what’s important. A self-involved, distracted life, a neverending exercise in futility, or dominance.

On the other hand, I’ve heard people gush that they feel like they have it all when they get a clean bill of health or realize somebody loves them. So, it might be attainable in a subjective, personal way, as a matter of opinion.

More a feeling than a measurable standard.

Daily writing prompt

Who would you like to talk to soon?

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Maybe a college friend, or any of my siblings– so we can commiserate, check in, share feelings in the wake of our brother’s death not quite a week ago. We’re all still walking around in a fog, going through the motions, hoping to awaken from this bad dream.

Daily writing prompt

What personal belongings do you hold most dear?

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Pictures of family and friends and places we’ve been, certain mementos and souvenirs, maybe a few hats/caps. Pretty much everything else is just replaceble stuff.

Daily writing prompt

Do you have any collections?

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Nothing of great signficance or monetary value, except maybe for a basketball signed by Bob Cousy, long after his playing days were over. Other than that, I have a box of memorabilia that I open every now and then, usually when we’re trying to put a dent in getting rid of stuff hanging around in the basement.

Just bits and pieces of my life– a popcorn holder from the first Red Sox game I attended at Fenway Park back in the early 60s, a moth-eaten pennant from a game we went to at Comiskey Park, between the Yankees and White Sox– a game Whitey Ford pitched, and in which Mantle and Maris were playing; an old magazine or front pages from the time of JFK’s assassination, and the Soxs’ first World Series win since Babe Ruth played for them– along with an empty Wheaties box with a picture of David Ortiz, and a glossy team photo from 2004. There are mementos from my trip to Philmont Scout Ranch, small rocks and other souvenirs from various places I’ve been over the years, ticket stubs from sporting events and concerts, along with several volumes of journaling I’ve attempted along the way.

There might be a small treasure trove in the top drawer of my bureau, just bits and pieces of stuff tucked in corners, under the socks and t-shirts.

Daily writing prompt

What is the legacy you want to leave behind?

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I’d be lying if I said I didn’t give it much thought, but I figure at this point, any consideration of a legacy might have something to do with my time in the church. People might see and remember me through that lens, even though I myself view those years as mostly struggle.

I haven’t and probably won’t start any hospitals or foundations, haven’t set any records, written any books or music, or invented anything. I’ve led a non-descript life, by and large, trying but sometimes not succeeding in being an attentive husband and father, being unmoved by or lacking any motivation to nurture and refine certain proclivities, or to be remembered at all, and yet very much hoping that at least a few close family members will miss me when I’m gone.

I guess, in the end, if people remember me as a serious thinker who tried to have a sense of humor, that’ll be all I can ask, or expect.

Daily writing prompt

How do you feel about cold weather?

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Don’t like it. I used to, back in grade school days, when most winters would offer up at least a few weeks of cold enough weather and proper conditions to assure a decent place to skate.

If cold weather lingers too long into the spring, it starts to wear on me. I have a tendency to go into a sort of dormancy. There’s a temptation to push the thermostat up a bit, and settle into the comfy chair. I start craving warmth.

Daily writing prompt

Have you ever broken a bone?

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Yes, on April Fool’s day, three years ago. Had fractures in both arms around the elbows. I was running behind my granddaughter on the sidewalk in front of our house, turned away for one second, turned back and realized she had stopped running, did a clumsy avoidance maneuver and landed with a fair amount of force on my hands. She was a bit stunned, but none the worse for wear. Rehab went well, and there are hardly any residual effects.

Daily writing prompt

How do you balance work and home life?

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There currently isn’t any work/home life to have to balance. Retirement has taken that off the table, at least for the time being.

Daily writing prompt

What sacrifices have you made in life?

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It gives me pause to see the question stated so plainly. I’d like to think that I sacrificed 26 years of my life to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but it wasn’t anything nearly that noble or selfless. It was a struggle, alright, but not because I deprived myself in any way or took many unpopular stands, or had to forgo creature comforts or pleasure, or renounce family life. It was more that I was always feeling like a fish out of water, way out of my comfort zone, and less than honest about my ambivalence toward and doubt about the whole enterprise.

There was a certain sacrifice of time and direction of effort when our children were growing up.

Daily writing prompt

What’s the oldest things you’re wearing today?

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Well, I guess my pants, possibly my socks. I get good mileage out of most clothing items, except maybe my shoes, since I have a few pairs in the rotation. Actually, chances will be good that my cap will be the oldest thing, if I wear a certain Red Sox hat that I’ve had for a longer time than I care to admit.