As Thanksgiving arrives, I reflect on the many things I am thankful for. I’ve managed to survive to age 73. Along the way, I’ve had many fortunate things occur.
Of course, there have been horrible times too, such as when my father was killed in a car accident while I was on my honeymoon.
However, overall, I’ve led a life filled with great happiness and luck.
(Courtesy of Jeffrey Blum)
As I consider some of the things that happened in my life for which I should be thankful, some events come to mind.
When I was in my late teens, I saved a 6-year-old boy from drowning while I worked as a lifeguard. Thankfully, a doctor was on hand to assist me while I gave the boy mouth to mouth resuscitation.
I am also thankful that I was the lifeguard on duty when the near drowning incident occurred, since some of my lifeguard colleagues were known to doze off while on duty at times.
During my lifeguard tenure, I taught swimming lessons to young children. One time, a 3-year-old boy, who I was teaching, asked me to take him off the three-meter diving board. His mother was all for it.
I was too chicken to let the boy, or his mother, know that although I was a member of my high school swim team, I was terrified of the diving board (let alone a three-meter one).
I held the boy’s hand as we climbed the ladder, and then, still holding his hand, we jumped. Fortunately, neither one of us was hurt. Occasionally I jokingly speculate that this episode turned the boy into an Olympic diver.
(Courtesy of Jeffrey Blum)
Each year our swimming club held a show, which was attended by several thousand people. The highlight was a clown diving routine, which included performing many maneuvers that are dubious even for skilled divers.
(Courtesy of Jeffrey Blum)
Foolishly, I participated. Once again, luckily, I performed this risky endeavor without injury. Young people do crazy things, and I was no exception.
As if more examples of my own ill-advised behavior are needed, I can point to the post-water polo game drinking incident. There were 16 lifeguards altogether on our club’s staff, and occasionally we would play water polo games against lifeguards from other clubs.
After the games, we’d go to a bar for drinks and rabble rousing. One time, after consuming eight beers in a short period of time, I got in my car to drive home. On the way, I got lost and drove the wrong way down a one-way street.
I was pulled over by a police officer. In those days, police were far more lenient about drinking and driving than they are today. The police officer let me go with a warning. That episode sobered me up quickly. Once again, thankfully, I escaped disaster.
Things to be thankful for come in big and small packages.
For me, the big ones include being lucky to have been raised by caring parents who emphasized the importance of education and who let me and my friends consume large amounts of hotdogs, salami and Yoo-hoo chocolate drink.
I am thankful that my daughters avoided major mishaps while growing up. And I feel fortunate that they continue to thrive today.
I am also thankful that, following my divorce after 18-and-a-half years of marriage, I met Lissa (my significant other). Luckily, I was wise enough in this instance to recognize a great person. This insight helped me overcome the fact that she had pets. The backstory is that my family had a checkered past when it came to raising pets (“checkered” is not intended as a reference to Richard Nixon’s dog, Checkers). One time, my mother decided to spray-paint our parrot’s cage to make it more attractive. Of course, the parrot ate the paint and died.
Some things to be thankful for are obvious choices: good health, a loving family and a second chance at love. But life’s tapestry is woven with more than just the big threads. The near-drownings, the questionable diving decisions—even the shameful DUI incident that could have proved fatal—these too, shaped who I am today. They serve as reminders of my resilience, the value of taking calculated risks (within reason!) and the importance of appreciating the gift of each new day.
