It is probably best to start at the beginning. I was born. This deservedly celebrated event was just average when it came to me. Other than knowing the month, the day, and the year I was born, I know nothing else. I don't know my time of birth or how much I weighed or how long I was? There must not have been any abnormal or alarming events that caused concern for my parents. At least they never shared any with me. I do not even know the correct spelling of the city in Virginia where I was born. I don't blame anyone for me not knowing or remembering what for many are important facts. I was born. I’m thinking this has been a good deal. I had an average birth. An average foundation was laid.
So I grew up. There is nothing all that special about growing up. I was just doing what you are supposed to do. I was born male and white. I had a Mom and Dad and two brothers. One older. One younger. What could be more average than being the middle son? We lived in the suburbs in a nice comfortable home. We had a dog. I went to school. I played. In the summer I swam daily at the neighbor pool. We did move from Michigan to Ohio in 1968. A big deal for my parents I suppose. I was in the 5th grade. I just did what I was told. I got in the car and off we went. For me it was no big deal. People move all the time. Our move wasn’t forced like some kind of exodus. My Dad got a nice promotion and raise. In the end, all pretty average.
I graduated from high school, on time, like you are supposed to do. I’ve never understood all the big parties thrown simply because you graduated from high school? I was 18 years old and there was a lot more living to do. So all of this was very average even though at time people would tell me otherwise.
I went to college. I graduated in four years. So what! Just about every white kid went to college. Most of us who did go to college were on a “full ride” meaning our parents flipped the bill. When I look back on my college days, it was really a four year party. But I graduated! Oh, I said that already. Did I tell you it really was all very average?
I got a job. You’re supposed to get a job after you graduate from college. Isn’t that the point? The four year party had to come to an end. So for the next 33 years I spent my time in education in the same school district as a teacher, coach, administrator, and even after I retired I served on the school board. As I spent year after year working with students in many different capacities, I thought I was the “summa cum laude” of educators. But you know what, I was just average. I showed up every day. I did my job to the best of my ability. I loved what I did. Still, in the end I was just doing what you are supposed to do. What most people do. No special awards or recognition. No merit pay like the “popular” teachers got. That was fine with me because the “great” teachers I knew and worked with never seemed to get merit pay either. In the end, after all those years, my career in education was just average.
As I look back, my fifty-six years of living have been nothing more than one average moment in time after another. Allow me to share.
I played football. I thought I would play in the NFL. I didn’t know that guys with average speed, strength, skill and size do not make NFL teams.
I wrestled. I thought I would win an Olympic gold medal. I didn’t know having an average record and a bad shoulder would keep you off the podium.
I like to run. I thought I could win some races. I didn’t realize my speed was only average and that guys much older than me can run much faster than me.
I usually got C’s and B’s in school. I would get an occasional A in a class like gym. Does anything more scream average?
I don’t cook unless you consider peanut butter and jelly on toast as a fine meal? I’m sort of good at grilling, but what guy isn’t. Overall, pretty average.
I play no musical instruments though I’ve tried. I just never have had the patience and control to sit and practice. Like an average kid, I just liked running around, riding my bike, playing games. I do joke that I can play the radio, but I don’t think that counts.
I don’t paint or draw unless you call “stick figures” art? Very average in this department.
I have no mechanical or technical skills. I can do some minimal, average household maintenance projects. But the reality is I am an answer to the prayers of an electrician or plumber. You see, after I try to fix the problem only to make more of a problem, they are finally called and they are paid even more to fix a bigger problem than the original one.
As a Dad…average. I did all the things a Dad was supposed to do, or at least I tried, like any average Dad would do. I was at all events. I supported everything the kids were doing. Even like an average Dad, I would get frustrated at times. Unfortunately, how much more average is a Dad who does this?
Now there are a few anomalies for such an average guy like me. Among all my averageness, some truly amazing things have happened. What makes these so extraordinary are that these have happened to an average guy like me.
The first and most important one. In college I met the most beautiful, most stunning girl, with a smile that melted my heart back then and still melts it today. She is smart and charming and caring and loving. She is so far above even great that I do not believe there is a word to describe her. We have been married for going on thirty-five spectacular years. I wonder what she sees in an average guy like me?
The second, third and forth most important things that happened to such an average guy like me are the three sons we have, all raised to be free, confident and independent thinkers. Each one is living a life they love. Each has a beautiful girl in their life. And, an average guy like me has the greatest grandson in all the world!
So you may be wondering what all this is about, this coming out? Well, I am admitting to all, but most importantly I am admitting to myself that I am just average, and from this day forward I am going to celebrate being average and nothing more. How liberating and freeing it is to understand and accept this very important truth about me and my life. Let me tell you, it feels great! From this day forward I will live my life accepting me for who I am just as I am…average.
Now there will be those who will try to tell me this “coming out” is not true. They may try to remind me of this or that I did that in their minds indicates or proves something else. I’m not trying to be disrespectful to anyone, but it is funny how everyone expects and thinks you are something other than what you truly are. For me, I am at total peace with being average living this extraordinary gift of life. Please do not feel bad for me. I plan on living the next 50 or so years happily and simply average!
No comments:
Post a Comment