Swimming Against The Waves

Guest Post By- Dennis Elton Stanley

For many years I longed for alone time. My days were filled with work and family life, the nights entirely too short. I remember a song that sang “I can run through the house naked, and no one will ever see.”

Well, that does not quite live up to the hype. It gets old after about 10 times, and it gets pretty tiring after 50 or so. But the neighbors do not come over anymore.

I used to think that if I were alone, I could watch anything I wanted on TV. I could watch as long and whenever I wanted to. That did turn out to be true, but after a couple hundred movies, I run out of ideas.

Only my favorite music would be played, but the careers of my favorites have ended. Of course, the music remains, and I listen although not as often. I could not control which memories would accompany each song. One song appropriately sings, “The Day the Music Died.”

People keep asking why I keep working so I make up lies. But it’s really because I always have and Lord knows I don’t want any other routines to change.

But I do add routines. I bought an 8-track recorder so I could make my own music. I bought guitars, a bass, and an organ that I can’t play. I even bought a set of drums. I can play them pretty well, so I record bad music and songs that nobody wants to hear. I don’t care, it helps.

It was a lifetime dream, so I bought a really old houseboat, a 1971 Kingcraft. I probably should not have done that.

I do eat healthy now. It will probably not make up for a lifetime of not eating healthy. I also walk a whole lot, miles, and miles almost every day. I hike too when I’m not doing regular walking. I hike up and down mountains. I have not received any awards for hiking, but they gave me a whole bunch of medals for my speed walking. My doctor told me it was because there’s not much competition left in my age group. She’s great.

I try to stay busy and that’s because of the waves. As long as I keep swimming, the waves don’t knock me down. People ask me all the time, “how are you doing Dennis?” If I told them about the waves, they would surely think I needed help. And they would be right, but I won’t accept it. I have always taken care of myself.

Thanksgiving and Christmas both are here. They come at the same time now and usually begin the waves for many who have loved and lost. Each of us swims the waves in our own way. Some fight against the current and some just go with the flow. Some just decide not to swim at all.

I have tried them all.

About Guest Author– Dennis Elton Stanley- He is a 69-year-old widower. Still working full-time as an engineer in healthcare. He competes in long-distance speed walking, hiking, photography, and musician, and he loves to write. “I am very busy”– as he says.

• Website- The Daily Sinner- https://thedailysinner.blog/

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