Gratitude

Birthday Week- Friday

mikemjensen Fishing, Gratitude, Vanity Tags: , , , , Leave a comment

Hey Kids,

It’s Friday on my Birthday Week and I’m listing some things I’m thankful for in my life; those things that make getting older, worth it.

Friday- Fishing.

Green River, Utah

Green River, Utah

I probably lost some people with this one but fishing has been such a part of my life that I can’t imagine my life without it.

Fishing is what brought me and my grandpa closer. We spent many hours on his boat and it is there I learn who he was. Many people have a different opinion of the man than I do, and they are most likely right in their own views. He had some problems. But he had a good heart and out on the boat I got to feel it.

Flyfishing as I mostly do now, is as much therapeutic as it is sporting. A book I read, Pavlov’s Trout, makes the case that within the practice of regular fishing trips, a balanced happy life can be achieved. The ironic part about this is that my Ex gave that book to me and she did not agree with the philosophy that I gleaned from it. The book also gave me my dying wish. After hooking a massive Steelhead, I hope my last words are “Get the Net.”

Looking forward, I know I will never be guide quality. It’s OK. There are so many fish I want to meet, I need another 70 years from now to get to only some of them. I’ll take what live gives me and call it good.

I hope it’s closer to 70 than it is to 7, however.

Day 81

Birthday Week- Thursday

mikemjensen Gratitude, Vanity, Writing Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Hey Kids,

It’s Thursday on my Birthday Week and I’m still listing the things I thankful for and the things that make getting older, worth it.

Thursday- Writing.

I’m not all that sentimental or hocus pocus-y when it comes to writing. I have my weird things I do, but no charms, tokens, or rituals. I simply enjoy writing. That’s it. And for that I’m thankful.

Me at 15 in Alaska looking for gold.

Me at 15 in Alaska looking for gold.

From roaming the western deserts with my dad, to working at a gold mine in Alaska, there are a few things that I’ve seen that I want to share. God gave me the eye to see the stories around me, to think of them in terms to explain to others. I have enough brain to be able to string words together into coherent thoughts and sentences.

I struggled with English in school, yet somehow it made sense to me when I learned French.

I resisted reading when I was young yet found authors like Twain, Hemingway, and London that captured my imagination.

I feared writing yet found a voice in learning to speak in Toastmasters and other public speaking occasions.

I hope I have many more birthdays between now and when I think I’m done writing. Which will only stop when I stop breathing.

Literally.

Day 80

Birthday Week- Wednesday

mikemjensen Gratitude, Motorcycles, Vanity Tags: , 2 Comments

Hey Kids,

Birthday Week continues into Wednesday and instead of wishing, I’m listing the things I’m thankful for and the things that make getting older, worth it.

Wednesday- Motorcycles.

I’ve been blessed with not one but now two motorcycles. I know this sounds materialistic. It is. But motorcycles give me a joy that’s worth being honest about it and saying I’m proud to be a motorcyclist.

Suzuki Boulevard

Suzuki Boulevard

I bought the first one in April of 2011. My Boulevard. We’ve put many miles on the road together. It’s now approaching 46,000 miles on the bike, most of them mine. I’ve spent as long as 6 days on road. Just me and my sweetie, 1200 miles, and most of the National Parks in Southern Utah and the Grand Canyon. I road it to LA and back. The trip back, 700+ miles, straight shot, 12 hours, snow and rain most of the way. Ah, memories.

IMG_20141011_084232My Yamaha is a new comer, bought last fall. The 113 cid motor (1900cc) is all the power I need for now and it’ll be the long road tripper now. The Boulevard will maintain the daily work commute duties. The Stratoliner or “Strat” is a beautiful bike and its extra-long wheel base eats up the road with comfort. I can’t wait to see where we will go together.

I know that there are many people who look at me weird because I have two bikes and no operating four wheel vehicle, but it’s the choice I made. I may not be a “biker” but I bet I ride my bikes more than most. And I hope to stick around for a lot more miles and a few more bikes in the Garage.

Ride on, Brother. Ride on.

Day 79

Birthday Week- Tuesday

mikemjensen Gratitude, Vanity Tags: , , , , Leave a comment

Hey Kids,

Birthday Week continues into Tuesday and more things worth getting older.

Tuesday- My Kids.

Me and my babies at "our lake"

Me and my babies at “our lake”

I don’t get to see them anymore, at least for now. They’re a big reason why I write this blog (hence “Hey Kids”). I want them know one day who I am, and not who they thought I am or been led to believe I am. I want a history of my thoughts, my daily writings, and my dreams and fears.

I regret not a day in having them. I begrudge not a thing that I couldn’t have because we had to buy diapers, formula, shoes, clothes, and the like.

I don’t pine for a single event I missed because we bought a minivan instead. I loved every minute spent with them and I hurt for every moment I’m now denied.

I’m grateful they, you, are doing well from what I’m told. I’m proud of who you are becoming. And I look forward to waiting this all out and seeing you and my grandkids later on.

I’m happy to know that not a mean thought is spent on you. My arms are open, my heart is longing, and not a minute of my time will be spent seeking recompense. I’m sorry for how you were hurt, but I’m willing to do what I can to ease your pain and gain your forgiveness.

I’m happy to be alive and seemingly in good enough health to keep going for a while. I’m here until God takes me or we find our way back into each other’s lives. Whatever comes first.

My wish is for the later.

 

Day 78

Birthday Week- Monday

mikemjensen Gratitude Tags: , , , Leave a comment

Hey Kids,

It’s my birthday week.

My sweetie has taught me this term. She actually extends it to the month of her birthday. So I feel sorry for anyone who shares her birth month, because she doesn’t share things like that very well.

But back to me and My birthday week.

I haven’t been much of a birthday celebrator so I’m not sure what to do with a whole week.

Hmmmm. Birthday wishes??? No. Who cares what I want but me, and I’ve been a little fixated on that type of thinking lately. I think it’s time I took account of the things for which I really need to be thankful, things worth getting older.

Hanging Out and Being Cool

Hanging Out and Being Cool

Monday- My Sweetie.

It’s really difficult to explain this one without going all mushy blah, blah, blah because you all know what I’m talking about when I say I’m a better person because of her. You know what it means to have someone you can’t wait to see every day. No need to elaborate what it means to have someone love you back way more that you can love them but she makes you want to try anyway.

She’s it for me. I love waking up in the morning and seeing her first thing. I love laughing with her. I love saying something funny just to see her smile at me. I love the way she loves everyone around her and then see how much they adore her. And yet she chooses to hang around with me.

Monday. I’m so grateful and lucky to have someone as special as she.

Love ya babe!

Day 77