I don't have to look very far to get inspiration from people in my life. Perfect example being my Sister-in-law. Someone who started her life over. I won't go into detail as I don't really have any, and it isn't my story to tell, but there was a point in her life when she could have made some decisions differently. She could have made things easy. Is 'easy' the word? Probably not. Maybe I can say that she could have accepted that life wasn't exactly as she wanted it, and then did as most of us do and settled for what she had.
What I do know is that she made some very brave choices. Decisions I don't think I could have made in my life. Basically, she wanted something for herself, and she decided to go and get it. Linda and I are very different people. A couple of times we lived together. My wife, her sister, and the ever crotchety quiet man. We shared rent, and tried not to kill each other for small periods of time. Now, we surely have things we do which drive each other crazy, but at the end of the day I think we love each other. I know I love her. I am ever impressed with her abilities as a person, and a mother.
Now I did play a rather key role in this life she has attained for herself. As much as Linda likes to give credit for her meeting Mark (her husband) to my wife. Let me dispel that myth. It has very little to do with Susanne and everything to do with me. I have an uncanny ability to tell good people from bad almost instantly. On a particular night sitting across from a guy I didn't know, at a work function which was not mine (It was Susanne's). Linda showed up (this is the Coles Notes version obviously) said she couldn't meet any good guys. I told her she didn't want to meet good guys, she fit the profile of a young single female, which meant she wanted to meet guys that would treat her like shit, and what she really wanted was a guy to follow around like a puppy dog. Now I know that's harsh, but I was drinking (oldest excuse in the world I know) and I barely filter what I say at the best of times, and when I drink the filter gets turned off. She took offense to this of course, and was adamant that she wanted to meet a nice guy. So I pointed across the table and said 'there is a nice guy, go meet him'. And she did.
Now she has most of what I think she wants out of life. I am sure there is a great deal more I am missing, but this is a blog and not a biography, so if you want to know the rest, then become her friend and stop nosing around. Just kidding.
The point is, two days ago a very lucky little girl was born into a very good home, to two very good people. Their life inspires others, just as all of our lives do. I realize more and more that the things we say and do as individuals ripple into the universe. Be the best version of yourself that you can be, and those actions inspire others. They really do, even if you don't realize it. I often feel that responsibility prevents me from following a dream. Trying not to get in your own way on the path to your goal is diificult at the best of times, and making brave decisions at the right time is the only real way forward that won't lead to regret. That is advise I've had trouble dealing with. The things we want often don't seem to mesh with the place we are in, but if you take Linda's example, then one day you too could be in the place you want to be, surrounded by the people you most want to be with. If only we could all live by the example of others.
I do take credit for everything they have. Quite simply it is my greatness that built everything they have. Obviously, I am kidding. I just look back on these two really great people that found their way into each other's lives, and feel good that I said something, as often I am apt to keep things to myself. At least at this point in my life, what I said, was completely out of character. Today, not so much. Maybe Linda making her first steps to a different life at that time, began the creation of the monster known as ME. I had actually never made that connection until this moment, but watching her become who she is, has certainly helped to make me who I am today. Now if we could only determine if that change was a good thing...
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