I think most of us would say that you start out life a little lost, and sort of find your way as you get older. My daughter is just finishing up high school,
and as I reflect back on her childhood, and particularly her teenage years, I know a lot of polishing and growth has occurred, particularly in these last
few years. I was comparing my daughter’s freshman school ID to her senior school ID, and without a doubt, she has “glowed up” as the kids say. She
might have been a little lost four years ago, but when you see her today, you realize she is an amazing young woman who is on her way to greatness.
I can’t help but be grateful.
The other day, I found myself at the library, and I noticed they had a Lost and Found box stuffed in the corner. And the new year must have me in a
nostalgic mood, because I was thinking of my daughter’s growth; she’s a proud member of the class of 2019! I couldn’t help but wonder if they had a
Lost & Found box for life stories. And I’m just saying – if they did have such a box – would my own life story fit neatly in it?
I stared at the box, trying to picture a thick, dusty book with J. Beebs’ Life Story on the cover, just thrown in there, lying on top of a lost jacket, next
to an assortment of colorful hats, a couple of USB sticks, and I’m guessing someone’s house keys. I decided at some point, yes, you probably could
put J Beebs’ Life Story in the Lost & Found box - but only part of the story.
Because as I get older, I realize that a better ‘box’ for my life story might be titled ‘The Lost & Found … and Lost Again Box.’ I’m a little older now,
and find myself retired. Ten plus years ago, I would have told you my story had a place in the regular Lost & Found Box. I grew up, navigated college,
did a stint in the military, and checked all the boxes one expects to check in a successful career. I married a great woman, had two amazing kids, and
still have the best dog on the planet. I did all the things I thought were important.
But somehow, as I shift into the next phase of life, I wouldn’t say I’m found. If anything, I just got lost again. Don’t get me wrong. The first half of
life was great. No regrets on any family or career decisions. But the kids get older and move out. And in your career, you go from being the young,
enthusiastic rookie to the “only guy that remembers how we started.” And then you slide on into retired life, and you realize that, in a sense, you get
to start all over again. So that’s another thing my 18 year old daughter and I have in common – we are both starting out.
Only honestly, it’s a lot better for me. I get to learn how to play again. She has to go to work and grind. I’m looking to rediscover all the silliness and
creativeness of childhood, while my daughter has to study Biology, look for internships and jobs, and maybe even find a nice boy for a family of her
own someday. It’s a lot to think about. But hey, here’s me and my wonderful wife of 26 years with NO KIDS. What will we do now? Do we travel? Do
we start a garden? I don’t know anything about fertilizer or weeds. Does this matter? What I do know is this is “the us time.” And honestly … we are
pretty lost in it. At the same time, it’s pretty awesome.
So if you find yourself lost, don’t worry! Enjoy it! I don’t have all the answers, but I do know this - our lives don’t fit neatly into a Lost & Found box.
Being lost is a good thing!
38 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | FEB 2019
By J. Beebs