The pic I posted yesterday from Alaska, led to this post this evening. I am here for you!
It’s 1975, I’m 20, I’m in the military, I’m married, my wife just gave birth to our daughters, I’m in Alaska, watching for Russians and I’m not afraid of anything. I’m just getting started with my life.
One year in Alaska. It might as well have been 100, one for each of the guys locked in tight on that naked northern prison coast. Things cook in tight situations, there’s heat, love and freedom in this jail. I was ripe for all three wherever I could get them, wide open, not afraid of anything.
Hours of time, down-time, drinking and smoking time, reading-time, crying time, letter writing time, music loving time. It is the 70s you know. We have albums and record players, and expensive stereo systems. We bunk with a good friend if we’re lucky. Threw up on my first cell mate, my first nite, my first drunk, totally drunk like where’s my room drunk. You don’t get a friend like Dave Sabino but once in your life. I’m 20, the son of a Baptist preacher, and I’m not afraid of anything anymore.
We watch for Russians. It is the 70s you know. I imagine them watching for us, drinking vodka while we slosh Budweiser. I’m a scope dope. I’m paid to watch for them Russian airplanes on a radar-scope-screen. There are 99 other guys here on this ice so I can watch this scope tonite, protect our country tonite. The only thing I ever saw on that scope was us. I’ve never liked the idea of a them. I’m still not afraid of Russians.
We sneak the fun we can with the goodies we have. The northern lights, caribou, ocean birds and ocean waves, tundra, 24 hour days and 24 hour nights are reasons to sneak and live. Let your mind go where it can’t wait to go, my god, where it must go, somewhere fearlessly new. Knowing what I know about sneaking now I would have sneaked way more. I’m not afraid of sneaking out with friends and lovers.
I’m 53. I work for the government, I’m married to the most beautiful woman in the world, my wife is a kindergarten school teacher, my 3 kids are the single most inspiration of my days, I’m in Arizona, watching for ways to fill my life with goodness, and I’m not afraid of anything. The things I love can never be taken from me, and I’m just getting started with my life.
I have to say for starters, Dad you look hot in that picture!
ReplyDeleteFor seconds, Pretty deep stuff and I think I can speak for my sister, brother, and self we are not afraid either! Love.
I would say, Elias looks alot like you in this picture!
ReplyDeleteIm not afraid!