So, Tram asked us to decide on a topic that described what we felt was society’s expectations of us, as we got to our Big Ages! However, not being one to allow society to dictate aspects of my life, I decided to write something a little bit… different. I don't quite recall my thought process 11 years ago when I first wrote for this series. But what I do know is that I did have expectations of what my life may look like, over a decade from then! As I maneuvered through life over those many, many years, a lot has changed. I've done things, seen things, and been through things that I definitely did not expect! I've discovered parts of me, and parts of my personality, that I didn't even know were there!

After discovering this, I arranged and maneuvered my life in such a way as to continue to be successful. To be a better father, and grandfather! To eventually be a great husband, again! To try to be the best me, that I could be! As I felt the need to adjust, I tried to do just that. A lot of it was from advice from friends, some of it was my own personal observations, and definitely, a lot of it was from adaptation! Adapting has been one of the things that I've been most proud of myself. I've had to adapt most of my life, but maybe not as much as the last 10 or 15 years! Between raising children, seeing my grandkids grow up… and new ones being born… to even being divorced and dating again… I've had to adjust and adapt how I approached my life! As well as, how I allowed others to see it! Maybe that's the societal part of it. What I want people to see versus what's happening, or what I felt was necessary for others to see, versus what I knew was going on! I've been through things that I was not prepared for, but thank God I made it through it! You never know what life is gonna throw at you, 10 years from now… or even five years from now! I know now that my life will always require me to be adaptable, savvy, and wise!

But how do we get there? Is it from experience, advice, some other method? That's the question! That's the challenge! I've approached it many different ways over the years, and although I can't give you the answer that you need... One thing I can say for sure, is I've luckily, and through all the blessings, found my way! Getting older isn't easy, but it can definitely be rewarding! The reward is knowing that I’ve done my best, and it was what was best for me! Society definitely cannot tell you that! They'll definitely pretend to know all the answers. But only you can decide what matters to you, what makes sense for you, and what is going to bring you to the happiness that fulfills your life!

Am I happy? I think so! I found new ways, new people, and new experiences, to bring me that happiness! I've discovered ways to change myself, without really changing who I am, and that makes me happy! And although I can't see the future, I can safely say, I'm on the right path to continue to be happy, successful, and loved!

And that’s all that matters!