The “post 50” phase of my life will be life-changing, career molding, and even more interesting than the first 50. While I enjoy things like fishing, kayaking, painting, and photography, I feel I am doing the most important thing I can be doing; teaching the next generation by passing on the values that were planted in me. Principles, that my parents, if they were here, be proud of me for. I am a 5th teacher.
I am what you may call, a “late bloomer.” In part of my working career, I’ve been a logger, commercial fisherman, and developed my own sign business. My wife and I were the first ones in our respective families of a combined 14 children to receive our B.A. degrees, during which we lived apart as a family to fulfill these goals. We have since raised our two sons that have also completed their college educations. I started to teach when I was 42 years old and haven’t regretted a minute of it. I do not need to go on a Vision Quest. My vision is clear and I’m fulfilling my quest, even though I am still paying off my student loans.
Teaching can be an all-consuming and rewarding job at the same time. It is important to recharge one’s batteries and energy. Thus, I believe that it is important to visit the places that I must teach about. This is the reason I’ve taken the opportunity to travel to the East Coast and visit some of America’s historical sites. For my 50th birthday my grown sons gave me their present by accompanying me on my life-long dream of hiking the Chilkoot Trail in Alaska. Fulfilling life’s goals with those that you love is a very satisfying experience.
So, the next chapter of my life will be simple; keeping myself healthy for those I love, and aspire to be the best teacher my students will ever have. Being a teacher really does allow me to affect and inspire the future. My best reward? The future that they create and the positive impact they make.
Carpe diem
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