Most of us can recall major life-changing events in our life: college, marriage, divorce, death of a loved one, first job, etc. But sometimes it is much harder to recall the little moments, the small events, the slight turns in our path which lead us to life changes that later make us shake our heads and ask “how did I get to here?”
I was thinking about that concept this morning when I got up at 4am. Unless I’m unusually tired or sick, I routinely get up at 4am. I can’t even tell you when I started doing so, or why, but I do know that being up before dawn has allowed me to accomplish much more, even though I usually have to take a nap during the evening news.
I can clearly recall when my relationship with the computer began. Gary’s employer arranged for his staff to have financing for computers because the manufacturing plant was converting to computer assistance and he was wise to understand that his employees needed to be experienced and comfortable with the new technology. So an Apple IIC came to live with us. I was terrified of it and needed my son’s help to even turn it on. But those early days of trial and lots of error led to where we are today…shopping, blogging, and socializing on a world-wide network of computers.
My daughter had the first blog that I ever read. And she was posting it for quite some time before she let me see it! lol I didn’t even know what a “blog” was, although I’d heard them mentioned on the news. I certainly didn’t think that I would ever write one. Now I have three and I am addicted to reading at least a dozen.
Gary introduced me to photography. Although I’d had several cameras before we met, I never saw it as anything more than a device for recording family events. He showed me how it could be a means for creating art, for seeing the world in a different way, for sharing my vision with others. Now I can’t imagine not having a camera. It sits on the dining room table waiting for me to pick it up and see what is happening outside. I often take as many as 200 photos per day!
Facebook? I once said “people with too much time” or “who needs that?”, but now I realize the value of social networking and have benefitted from it in ways that I can’t even explain. I’ve found old friends and made new ones. I’ve rejoiced with them over new jobs and marriages and babies. I’ve prayed with them about accidents and illnesses and divorces and the deaths of loved ones. I’ve turned to them for help and ideas. I’ve learned about new products and websites and blogs. Now my problem is staying off Facebook so I can get some work done!
One day a friend asked me if I would look up something for her at the genealogy library because I had been there before and knew how to work the microfilm reader. That was about fifteen years ago and now I spend at least five hours a week doing research for myself and others. Sometimes I wonder what I did “before genealogy”. The answer probably has something to do with cooking and cleaning- I do little of either any more.
One evening a couple of years ago Gary and I watched a program about a man who fed dog food to raccoons. We decided to try putting a little dog food on the porch…and the rest is history. Now we feed the squirrels, rabbits, skunks, opossums, foxes, and oh, yes, a few raccoons. Their nightly arrival is as much a part of our daily life as brushing our teeth. Watching them interact is as enjoyable as any television show.
I could go on with other little moments that have changed the way I live and work and eat and even sleep. Every decision, however small, leads somewhere…
Something to ponder before the new year begins.
Good article always can give a person to inspire, thank you
Posted by: Wholesale Jerseys | December 23, 2011 at 12:16 AM