The easy (and short) answer is, because I can
I reached the stage of life when schedules aren’t as chaotic with work and family commitments, and my efforts no longer require an income incentive. Writing has always been an enjoyable hobby for me, and I’m sure my mild abilities in this form of communication helped me during my professional career years. However, I never had the time (or financial reason) to do things to become better at it. The writing was a “tool,” not an objective.
My personal environment and daily routine are different now, and I can spend gratifying hours writing without guilt. The free resources for improvement provided by Ms. Google are nearly unlimited, and the craft is one even the most skilled authors never completely master. No goal-line exists! To me, this is invigorating—because I’m coming to the end of so many other things in life.
I’ve wrestled my last match, caught my last fly-ball, and danced my last limbo. I’m married to my last wife, had
my last child, and will never own another cat. I won’t be jumping out of airplanes or riding bulls anymore—note that I have never done either of these, but it is now too late to consider starting. I’m probably living in my last house, own my last truck, and most likely won’t ever apply for another job. In the not-too-distant future, I’ll ski down my last slope, fix my last roof, and view my last sunset from a mountain I just climbed.
The activities becoming extinct due to advancing age are not reasons for melancholy. At this stage of life, the list of “things done” is simply longer than the list of “things to do.” Plenty of enjoyable hours remain for trips to take, friends to see, and memories to make (refer to Rounding Third, in the poems section of this website).
Additionally, writing offers much yet to learn, a fulfilling exercise my energy and strength will allow me to pursue for quite a long time. For this particular hobby, I’m not as close to The End as I am The Beginning.
So, no more wrestling. I miss that. I can almost imagine a spectacular takedown, seconds before the clock runs out…
That’s what writing is all about: as long as you can remember or fantasize, you can create it.
Ha! Didn’t know you were also a wrestler. Good analogy. Now I KNOW you’ll enjoy TRNT. The wrestling connection is fairly important:)
I like this….gonna share it with the girls 😉
Great! Life is good … generally:)
Beautiful thought. Too many of us fight the onslaught of age. I’m going to try to look at the way you do. No more marathons, but lots of leisurely hikes ahead. My husband always tells me he doubts I’ll ever retire from writing and for once, he’s right! There will always be new writing challenges, more to learn, another story to tell. I’m so enjoying your writing journey and your positive attitude.
Aww, thanks Cara. We’re so glad you and Nick moved to our community. You’re an inspiration among our writer friends!
I never imagined you had all these hidden talents but then when I knew you, we were preoccupied with other distractions like our weekly poker games, softball and trying to win a tournament, and crab cookouts. How I miss those days. A visit this summer is on my bucket list and I long to see my old friends.
We’re looking forward to that, Joe!