Blog #4: “Old Man on the Beach”
Each day, I would look out from the eighth-floor balcony of my condo in Highland Beach to gaze at the splendor of the Atlantic Ocean. The view reaches the horizon. It is a glorious sight that constantly changes by the day and by the hour.
I would also check to see if "he" was there.
My eyes focused on an old man sitting in a simple lawn chair on the sand only feet from the waves splashing onto the hot sandy beach. He always wore a wide-brimmed hat and sat alone, sometimes reading, sometimes observing, and keeping to himself.
Most every day, he is there; four, five, or six hours would pass. He is our sea sentinel.
In the Florida summer, the temperature would be in the 90's. The sand gets so hot your bare feet would send you screaming for shoes. No matter what, he would simply read a newspaper or magazine, smile at passers-by, and enjoy his unique space alone.
I sat down and let my mind wander.
Like many others, I am in a different place in my life being retired with kids grown, and grandkids so busy with school, sports, studies, and socializing. They are living life fast and furious just as my wife and I once did. They are marvelously bright, athletic, talented, and beautiful.
One tends to reflect often at this time of life and I constantly remind myself of how blessed we are and especially with my key “life decisions”. Yes, I was always scrambling in my profession with a Type A personality enduring high stress and being forced to be focused on getting measurable results - for the companies, customers, my teams, and my family.
We can't help but get nervous at the relentless speed of time. Like the ocean, there is no stopping it. At our age, it is flashing by with each day merging into several blurred days. It disturbs me to see so many people waste valuable time when I wish I could take some back.
I nodded to myself as I sat there looking up at the sky, wondering if God was listening to my thoughts. Were my Mom and Dad looking down on me? I miss them. They worked and sacrificed so much during their lifetime.
Did the nice old man on the beach think the same way?
Satisfying all the demands we face to have a comfortable life is not easy, at least not for most of us. We did experience the extremes of war, unemployment, tragedy, success, and important achievements. Few can escape tragedy, adversity, and pain. It is part of life. It requires hard work. Nothing of value is free or easy. But appreciation is the rose that blooms from such commitment, even as it has thorns.
I remember what I asked my Dad just before he passed. I asked, "what would you change if you had to do it again?" He said he would change nothing, “given what he was born with, what he had available, and without knowing what he knows now”. You must work with what you've been dealt.
So, I am in the same boat as my Dad, although he gave me a head start considering what he was dealt with early in his life. He couldn’t get beyond 7th grade in Mississippi during the Great Depression. I was fortunate to get my MBA. As a result, I would not change a thing. That doesn't mean I would not want to fix my mistakes, my misjudgments, and a few bad choices over the past 60 years.
As luck would have it, I had very few of them, with only a couple of notable exceptions.
The sun emerged from a small cloud, and I could feel the heat on my face. I looked out at the beautiful, turquoise-colored ocean, the white puffs in the sky, and the scenic sailboats crossing in front of us.
My thoughts turned to what the most important lessons were that allowed me to survive 76 years.
My first big decision was rather than be drafted in 1968, I volunteered to go into the Army, to be an officer, to volunteer for all the training I could get, and even volunteered to go to Vietnam as an infantryman and platoon leader. The training was just excellent and would later be proof of survival. It gave me experience and confidence, and it saved my life. Combat, for those who survive it, is a great teacher. It changed who I was in four short years and set the stage for what I could be.
Marrying the right woman is another huge decision made in that same tumultuous year of 1968. My wife is a loyal, loving, gorgeous woman who is also the best grandmother.
I went to college before the Army to give me better choices and used the GI Bill after returning from Vietnam to go to college. I worked multiple jobs to avoid lingering tuition loans.
For the next 45 years, it was all about risk-taking, work ethic, discipline, disappointment, persistence, headaches, and continuous learning while forming and supporting a family.
The Army taught me about physical fitness and anticipating problems, business taught me about good practices and bad, the church taught me about God and personal values, and I learned how important my parents were. Being comfortable in your own skin and at peace with yourself is a huge benchmark for personal growth. For me, life is also about trust, integrity, and honor. It is incredibly fortunate to know when your head hits the pillow at night, that you lived an honest life with good intentions and actions that delivered positive results.
Many of my neighbors are still working in their sixties, seventies, and even eighties. Me, I don't work anymore, but I will contribute. It is important to give back. It is very important as it feeds the soul. It just feels good and keeps your mind working. Otherwise, rust sets in and life gets shorter.
I do worry about America, our values, our culture, and our future. My role is focused on what I can do in my hometown as a Town Commissioner. To me, it is critical to preserve our lifestyle, provide for improvements, be prudent with tax money, use common sense while being decisive, and protect our residents to keep them safe in our little piece of paradise.
I looked down and the old man was still on the beach. He is at peace and watching the clouds go by.
I will be there soon enough, but not today.
I have more contributions to make.
## John Shoemaker