A decade ago, I was 25 and standing in the Trocadero in Paris, staring at the Eiffel Tower amidst a horde of people, lonely as I’ve ever been as I rang in the new decade and millenium.
Am I the same man I was 10 years ago? It’s hard to fathom the changes, the many many life branches attempted and not-taken, the despair and the pain, the false starts and the offsides. But tonight I danced to “My Girl” with my daughter as she stared up at me cross-eyed and mouth agape, and I really don’t wish for my life to be anything other than it is and has been.
I am who I am, gut and stink and accumulated deritus and all. I may have more of it, but I’m more comfortable in my skin than I can remember being. And in the past decade I’ve added uncle, brother-in-law, son-in-law and most importantly husband and father to my list of titles. A few treasured Friends, and a number of friends. What more can I ask for?