Excited

 

     When I was a child it was often the simplest of things that would excite me.  Just getting a day off from school was an amazing event.  Even when we would be surprised because you showed up for class and then found out that you had a substitute teacher.  It just made the day so much more special.

     Of course, as I grew older I found the things that excited me became a bit more complicated and involved.  I recall once when we had gone on vacation to Florida as we had done for many years.  I was sixteen years old and had recently gotten my driver’s license.  The day after we got there I found out that (unlike today in many areas) you could drive motorcycles on the beach.  My Dad paid for the cycle for 4 hours use.  I was extremely excited.  I rode up and down that beach as many times as I could during those 4 hours.  I got so-o-o-o sunburned that my skin actually peeled four or five times after we returned home.  I’m surprised that I was not sick from the experience.

     After I graduated from High School I got a federal job in Washington, DC.  That was an exciting experience within itself.  However, during those first couple of years I had several exciting moments.  I have to say at the top of the list was meeting the girl who became my wife for over fifty years now. 

     However, as side notes of excitement, on one occasion I got to cross the street in downtown DC and brushed shoulders with John Wayne.  The “Duke” had been shopping in one the local men’s clothing stores.  Of course I had to “check out” this store for myself.  I should have been more aware of the type of store it was when I noticed that NONE of the items had price tags on them.  I should have left immediately but I found myself purchasing a $35 tie.  This was 1968 so you can imagine what that tie would cost today.

     There was another experience that got me excited while I was there.  I began taking karate classes with Master Jhoon Rhee at his Washington area dojo.  Once several of us got to attend one of the tournaments that he was sponsoring and I got to meet Chuck Norris, although I was not in his sparing level, I did get to watch him perform several times.  As the years passed and his career moved on to television and movies I found it very interesting that I could say I actually meet him once.  I’m certain the experience meant very little to him. You may remember him as Walker, Texas Ranger.

     Today I find that I have returned to my younger years and it is more of the “little” things that keep me excited. I was actually able to get out of bed this morning and didn’t feel as bad as I did yesterday!  That’s exciting!      

QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

"One thing that truly excites me today

is watching the excitement of others."