Is This You? Search and Find

Hopefully, there is no time limit on how long you can look for something you either have lost or just desire to find in life. I have a friend, Robin, who has spent many years whale watching off California's coast without seeing so much as a spout. This year, though. I have lost count of how many years she has been traveling from Central Nevada, up over the Sierra Mountains, down to Southern California to see the magnificent whales. Years. I say years she has gone and looked until… Finally, this year, she achieved her dream. Not sure I have ever given that much of me to achieve something. Have you?

Oh, another friend has moved from being a lonely "one" of many children in a tight-knit family to now being an Airline Captain and piloting private jets around the country and beyond, taking people hither and yon for his living. His life and Robin seeing whales have both given me time to think about what, if ever, I have gone searching for. To find the "thing" of my life.

I may not be a spring chicken, but I am not ready for a dirt bed, either. I am over fifty but under 100, so I think I still have time to find my "thing." Driven people are very unique. Knowing what you want, studying late into the night and days, learning, practicing, and putting into practice what you want. I have never had that. The only thing I have driven that I remember loving to drive was my 1973 yellow Ford Pinto when I was very young. Taking my "Bippymobile" (yes, it was the 70s) to the Friday night Who Hole party spot out on the Lackawanna Road holds many fine memories. But a life path drive? That drive hasn't hit me full in the face. Yet!

There is somewhere, a saying that has something to do with a rutter, a storm, and a ship. Keeping your eye on the prize. Grabbing the brass ring and holding on to reach my "thing." Sometimes we may all think we have missed our boat. HAHA, just in time, though; if you miss one, stop, breathe, and just wait. Another will come along. I live by that and believe it wholeheartedly. 

Can we direct our passion? Can it be possible to want something without knowing what that "something" is? Every so often, I hear or read about someone older going back to school to become a doctor or nurse. Or butcher or baker or candlestick maker. I am not a "back to school" kind of person. I have enough knowledge to get me from here to there. My poor head couldn't fit many more morsels in there. Could it? No. Pretty sure sitting, learning more, and then putting that learning into practice isn't where my "thing" is. So, my search continues.

Searching, hunting, seeking, and my favorite is rummaging through life. Yes, I am rummaging through life looking for my "thingy." Well, wait, that didn't sound quite right, did it?

I know this. I am a good and honest friend and person. In the way an honest friend will tell you if, indeed, you either have a hat face or do not have a hat face. That is a good way to tell if your friend is true. We all know, - truly know within ourselves if we have a face or head that can wear a hat. So, to know someone who will tell you that, indeed, you do not have a hat face? Well, you can trust them. One of the best pieces of advice I have given was to a friend who moved to Texas. I said, "Do anything you want in Texas, but do NOT wear a cowboy hat. You do not have a hat face." Yes, I am that friend. 

During a recent doctor visit, my very cool neurologist, Dr. Louie, had a student following him that day. During the visit, I gave Louie, as I usually do, a few copies of my recent papers, which included my column. He turns to the student and says that I am an excellent writer and have a column and newspaper. I send him and other ITY readers a weekly peek at the new stuff I write. I asked him if he still gets them after all the years I have been sending things out? He said yes. He added that when he needs a chuckle, he reads my words. 

Do you suppose, without me even trying to seek and find, that my "thingy" is being a writer? Naw. Must be something harder. Writing is just too much fun! :O}

Trina lives in Diamond Valley, north of Eureka, Nevada. She loves to hear from readers. Email her at [email protected]

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