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Welcome to my site and thank you for reading. After many times thinking, if only I had a blog, well-- here we are. This blog will feature writings on a variety of topics from roadside food, to leadership in the fire service; politics; culture- gay, straight, and indifferent, my experiences in Ohio, New York and beyond; and much much more. It's my hope that you will find it interesting and that it stirs at least some thought and discussion. I am certain you wont always agree, but that is what its all about right? Oh and one more thing:

The views expressed on this site are entirely my own. They do not reflect in anyway the views or positions of my employer (s) and should not taken as official policy of ANY organization with which I am associated. Reading or sharing any post from this site shall be taken as an indication that you have read this disclaimer and understand it.



Friday, August 24, 2012

Back from the Gloom

Funny how sometimes things that you don't expect can lead you to a place you didn't know you were missing.  I was feeling a little lost again, wondering what it was I should be doing.  Last week I made my way to place where the answers seemed tofind me.  Minnesota.  Of all places.  I guess I should have known that there was a reason Prairie Home Companion and Target (two of my principle addictions) are headquartered in that state.  Why I had never been, I will never really know.  But I went.  Quality time was spent with people who are like me.  Who care about others and their careers-- who want to learn- to grow- and get better. 

Like the girl in the bee costume from the blind melon video I found my home.  Not so much because of the details of my public safety career, or even the careers of those I had met.  The home was found in people who you are friends with in the first moment you meet more so than you will be with an acquaintance in a thousand years (to paraphrase Richard Bach).  Home was found in opening up my heart and mind to new experiences and realizing that I have a long way to go.  In a way, for me at least, its reassuring to realize that the path is long.  That it will involve so many.  Growing and sharing and learning from each other. 

I suppose the best indication that it was a good time-- a needed time-- was that I returned to the place called PSAC with a smile on my face, a brisk step, and was not phased by the inevitable dramas.  Even the critiques of my writing, the insolence of those that do not care-- even those normally effective attempts to pry up the track did not work. I blazed over the gaps in the system and the reality and in the place I must be for a bit longer, certain that I know I am going strong, even if I may not know exactly where. 

My minister, and C.S. Lewis, and Richard Bach, and John Steinbeck, and my mother, and many other great philosopher souls I have encountered long proclaimed that out most important task is to be confident in ourselves- in our place at God's table- and our role we have to play in this long sweet mystery opera.  For some reason, in a few short days and some classes and in a few beers, a few more glasses of wine, I found that pace in a way I have rarely known.  What a joy and a gift and an honor. 

And what a mission I have to live.