97 — This Is Ridiculous!

My intentions to get back to regular writing so boldly asserted on Independence Day in 2013, lasted one week!  I wrote chapters 94-96 and immediately fell out of the habit again until today, June 16, 2014.  However, the reason for my inactivity has not changed.  I do not look forward to recounting the events of 1985 and following. But, it is something that I must do for several reasons.

Over the last four years I have taught 32 class sections on various subjects related to world religions.  My three decades struggling to find my way in a Christian-dominant context provide vibrant examples to which my students can relate.  My “wanderings” and adventures engage my students.  Often, I actually assign readings in this blog.  I would rather use myself as a negative example or the “butt” of the joke than to point to the failures of others.

I have some hope that you are finding something of value in these musings.  I continue to write with you in mind.

My grandson, Aiden, will turn seven in October.  I am the currently the only father figure you has in his life.  He is already a strong reader and we are buddies.  But, he probably won’t find this interesting until I am not around to explain it all.  I want him to understand his grandfather.  Ultimately, I am writing this for him.

I need to do this for myself.  It is time I come to grips with the events of my life.  When I was writing the first eighty chapters, each day was a learning experience.  I miss that.  I need that.  I don’t know how much longer I will have to write all of this down.  I hope to live into my nineties—as long as I can still have a vibrant and meaningful life.  Yes, I have some pretty serious pain problems with my back, but that doesn’t stop me from teaching four days a week and playing 4-hour gigs with a guitar hanging on my shoulders!  Neither of my parents made it past the age of 67.  I am about to turn 65.  My mother killed herself with her pack-a-day habit.  My father never took care of himself, was overweight from his mid-twenties and had too many late-night kosher salami sandwiches for his weak heart.  I lived a healthy lifestyle until about 13 years ago when back problems significantly limited exercise.  Add the crazy cold weather of Chicago and the bad habits built around my job at AT&T where I worked 10-12 hour days, and the weight has begun to hang around my mid-section.

For the first time in four years, I don’t have a summer class to teach.  We moved apartments in downtown Chicago a few weeks ago and are finally unpacked.  I now have until the end of August to get back into the daily habit of writing and exercise before classes begin in the fall.  We will see how this goes!