I wrote this a few years ago, but never got around to posting it. Sometimes it takes time for fresh wounds to heal, to gain new perspective on fading scars.

As I refresh this, I’ve lost another old friend – Ken Kingman. As hard as we lived, it’s amazing that any of us made it this long.

~*~

The Human Experience – circa December 2012

Loss and the human experience—inevitable.  Perhaps loss is at the very core of the human experience.  But are we defined strictly by our losses?  I think not.  After all, it’s our accomplishments, our wins, that count—that show who and what we are.

As I write this on a rainy morning in December, it’s been nearly six months since my father, Ernie’s passing.  And Sonja, another close friend, has recently gone, too.  Heavy losses, I’ve had my share.   But then, who hasn’t?

Interesting.  We all deal with loss in our own unique way.  Ernie faced difficult choices, doing his best to handle brutal conditions at the end of his life, armed only with his wits and the questionable opinions of the so-called “medical experts.”  Essentially, he was forced to fend for himself.  But then, who isn’t?

I recently revisited the piece I wrote shortly after his death.  In case you missed it, it’s titled Fathers & Sons . . . Endings & Beginnings.

Please don’t misunderstand.  This is not purely cynicism or melancholia.  As I’m sure you’re aware, there is no shortage of fine folks that care—ready, willing, and able to help.  And I suspect the human experience would be unbearable without them, us, you, and me—without good friends.  John Lennon & Paul McCartney sang, “All you need is Love.”  It may not be all you need, but it surely helps.  I believe the capacity for love is the essence of who we are, giving us the ability to withstand the travails of the human experience.

A lot has happened in the last six months or so, not just losses.  My first Lance Underphal Mystery is receiving rave reviews on Amazon—the beginning of a new career.  Now that I’m finally old enough, why not?

~*~

That was then. This is now.

Thanks for your interest.  I value your friendship and aspire to strengthen that bond.  I sincerely hope this writing finds you triumphing over any losses to revel in your wins.

Here’s wishing you my Holiday best.

Michael Allan Scott

 


 

The cross-genre supernatural mystery/thriller books, Dark Side of Sunset Pointe, Flight of the Tarantula Hawk, and Grey Daze, are available on Amazon. Cut-Throat Syndrome is due out early next year.

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