A Husband and Father

Stop Making Sense!

Posted by The Author , Tuesday, May 11, 2010 11:36 PM

[Please click here to enjoy the music while you read or skip to the video at the bottom]


"You may find yourself living in a shotgun shack
You may find yourself in another part of the world
You may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile
You may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife
You may ask yourself: well... how did I get here?"

Stop. Hold Still. Close your eyes and take a deep breath and ask yourself... do I have what I want? If you began listing all of the things that you are thankful for, began noting how lucky you are to have what you do, well then this post will most likely only cause you to nod your head and agree. If, on the other hand you began listing things that you don't have, all of the things that you think you are missing, things that you want, perhaps even need then please, by all means, read on.

Many of us reach post adolescence (say, age 20 to 40?) with so much regret already firmly rooted that we find it nearly impossible to enjoy our day to day triumphs. We spend so much time worrying about others opinions of us, of our possessions, clothes, job, income etc. We bitch and complain. We commiserate, we blame, we seek solace in our friends and invite all to our pity party. "Woe is Me" is the mantra of your average American.

"Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/after the money's gone
Once in a lifetime/water flowing underground"

No matter how well we are doing, how healthy we are, how safe we are, there is always room for more. We just don't have enough. Whether it is a bigger house, more money, a lost love, a missed out on career, or just keeping up with the Jones' we find our selves wanting more. Why?


Delusions of Adequacy...


We live in the most prosperous country in the world. Though per capita we make less money than our parents and grandparents, we certainly have more. Even in these trying economic time's very few of us know someone without a home.  But wait! I know someone who lost their house! I said home, that place where you hang your hat, you know; where your heart is? Not an investment nor the place you bought to flip and make a buck; a domicile; living quarters. Do you know anyone who does not have a roof over their head? Clothes on their back? Food in their mouth?

Do you know anyone without a cell phone? Broadband?

I've had the extreme pleasure to have traveled most of the world on the Government's dime. I've seen luxury and poverty, both extremes of the same broken scale. I've seen shanty towns and luxury islands created out of nothing for men to build houses on within sight of each other. I've seen women sold into the sex trade, I've seen children who know not where their next meal comes from. I've seen Sheik's who drive Lamborghini's ski down indoor snow covered slopes in the middle of the desert only to stop at the bar at the bottom to enjoy a rare single malt scotch. I dare say I have seen it all.

At the end of the day when I come home to my satellite television, my broadband internet, and my overflowing refrigerator I'm ashamed to admit that I too have felt the sharp pains of the missing "more".


"You may ask yourself
How do I work this?
You may ask yourself
Where is that large automobile?
You may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful house!
You may tell yourself
This is not my beautiful wife!"

I'm not perfect. Contrary to some of my high horse thinking, I know you aren't either. Don't assume that I don't have aspirations. I'll have my dream home someday. I'll have my sailboat. I'll write my novel (or better yet, I'll write my novel and have time to write it's sequel!). My perfect family will come along with me. What I will not do is carry the mantle of entitlement or greed and I will not impart that ideology to my children.  I have a roof over my head, a good job, clean water, plenty of food and a healthy family full of love. Hell, I have too much to eat. I realize that I have every single thing that the majority of the world is killing themselves and each other to get (and then some).

I don't want to be greedy anymore...

"Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/after the money's gone
Once in a lifetime/water flowing underground"

Sometimes I want to pull a 'Mosquito Coast' and just give it all away and walk into the jungle. Those are the days that I realize how wealthy I really am. Those are the days that I realize that even our homeless and destitute are relatively healthy and well fed. Those are the days that I realize that I have too damn much as it is and complain about my lack of even more. And let's be honest... I'm not rich by American Standards.


"Same as it ever was... Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was... Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was... Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was... Same as it ever was..."

I have the luxury of wondering if I'm raising my children right. I have the luxury to think ahead to my retirement from the military and my second career. I have time to write a damn blog about what's on my mind. I have hobbies for Christ's sake...


"Water dissolving... and water removing
There is water... at the bottom of the ocean
Remove the water
Carry the water
Remove the water from the bottom of the ocean"

 I could turn this post into a diatribe on the American Whiner... but I won't. For the most part, we know who we are.  I could talk about those that speak of 'My America' and how bad they want it back, but we all know those are scared people who are taking change poorly. I wont waste your time with that...

But I will say this;

I am a fortunate and blessed man. I have a beautiful, loving and patient wife.  I have healthy, smart, innocent and loving children who receive and give numerous kisses and hugs each day. I have a roof over my head, food in my belly, a car and the gas to drive it. I have more electronic toys than I need. I have an extended network of family and friends standing by to render emotional, financial and even moral support if needed.

I am wealthy beyond belief. Even if it doesn't make sense.


"You may ask yourself
What is that beautiful house?
You may ask yourself
Where does that highway go to?
You may ask yourself
Am I right?... Am I wrong?
You may say to yourself
My God!... what have I done?"

"Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by/water flowing underground
Into the blue again/after the money's gone
Once in a lifetime/water flowing underground

"Into the blue again/into the silent water
Under the rocks and stones/there is water underground
Letting the days go by/into the silent water
Once in a lifetime/water flowing underground"

"Same as it ever was... Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was... Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was... Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was... Same as it ever was... "