THINGS I KNOW…

I wrote the list below on an old blog in 2007. Recently I found it again and I laughed out loud at several of the numbers.  I had just turned 35 and seemed to be in a reflective mood while also pointing the powerful gun of perception at myself. I think we all do this, but not out loud. The numbered points list beliefs and truths from a younger man. Apparently, trying to be funny I listed 36 things that I thought were important and relevant at the time. I’m now older and hopefully wiser. In fact, on November 5, 2022 I will turn 50.  That number does not worry me, but boy did it come up quick. All of us with 50 years or more on the planet should have it all figured out right? Not so much..The numbers below represent the 2007 list, while the bullet points are my updates and thoughts from NOW. Might as well expand the list to 50 things while I’m at it too…Ready? 

1. I am a person that others want to be around.

• I still believe this to be true. Moeschen = FUN

2. I can be difficult to deal with and work with.

• This is also true due to the fact that my mouth goes faster than my brain

3. I set very high standards.

• Compared to what? I don’t even know why I wrote this. Work? Life? Other? boo.

4. I inspire others.

• People still tell me this, although now I want to inspire, like all of us, but not because I have a chronic illness. I want to inspire by being a good person. 35-year old me, get off the soapbox.

5. I hate the phone and talking on it.

• Still true, although as I get older, I realize that conversations with friends are precious. 

6. If I don’t call you back right away, it’s not you, it’s me.

• That’s just stupid. Delete. We all get busy.

7. My family is amazing and wonderful.

• Still true 100%. My family has grown as well to include a wonderful wife and 2 sons.

8. My family is my grounded center.

• Yes, AND my family is dysfunctional and ridiculous. Just like yours. I love it.

9. If you cross me hard enough, I will remove you from my life forever.

• Still true. I don’t do well with toxic sludge. I take blame too, for this lovely personality trait. Psychologists have had a field day asking questions on this topic. Why? Ehhh…

10. It takes a lot to do 9.

• Also still true. My fuse is long, but when it lights, I don’t do “gentle” well.

11. Drums are my passion, as well as music.

• Yes. This. 100%. Not my only passion though…

12. I know a little bit about a lot of things.

• My father used to say this. I have become him. It’s ok. I’m a nerd.

13. I may never walk again, and that’s ok. There are worse things that could happen.

• Apparently I accepted this all those years ago. Still ok, whatever.

14. The Red Sox are going to give me a heart attack.

• Haha. We have won 4 World Series since 2004. I no longer take the Sox so seriously. Until the next time we make it that far. Then I might have a heart attack.

15. I want the best for every student that has ever been in my class. I care about all of you very much.

• This is still true. I love hearing how ALL of my old kids are doing now, and it has been really amazing to see so much success and know that I may have had a little hand in it.

16. My classes are fun, and a good time for the younglings.

• Try to show my students that my classes are about life!! Music is the vehicle…

17. I love Enfield, NH.

• Yes. This town is the Moeschen Family little slice of paradise.

18. I will travel more in 2008.

• Did I? I think so, but 2009, 2010, 2011 was Europe which was amazing.

19. I love good, engaging conversation.

• Still applies. Challenge my mind and convince me I’m wrong. Love it.

20. I may never be married. So? Who says I have to?

• This was me feeling sorry for myself. Haha. Vanessa found me, turned me into her project that never ends and I love her for it. This is a whole other blog…heh heh.

21. My body is slowly betraying me, while my mind is not.

• The body is worse now, but my mind is still sharp. Frankly, that’s all I need to keep going.

22. The worst year of my life was 1993, the best has been 2007.

• Update, I have multiple “best” years: 2013, 2014, 2016….now, ALL of them are good.

23. You may be reading this, but you don’t know me as well as you think you do.

• OOH. What am I…some kind of moron? Looks like I had deep, dark secrets. Give me a break.

24. I could write a book and bury many people.

• This one makes me laugh. You know who you are, but don’t worry…it’s all in the vault.

25. Many people could write a book and bury me.

• See #24, and put it in the vault please. Maybe I do have deep, dark secrets.

26. The last day I walked without help was November 7, 2002.

• Not sure how I remembered that this was the day, but I guess it’s 20 years now. Fine. Next year, when it turns 21, I’ll have a drink since it will be legal.

27. Building my own house was a great call.

• Still a great decision and we have added on since the kids were born. 

28. I will always have a job working with kids. I love them.

• Small humans slowly suck my will to live. Just kidding. Children are the funniest little creatures on the planet. I hope that I never lose touch with my own inner child. My wife reminds me daily that I’m immature, so that’s a good thing right?

29. Muscular Dystrophy may not be cured in my lifetime.

• This disease is still hiding many secrets from the brilliant scientists at work on it. The human body is a fascinating machine, and even when broken, finds ways to compensate. 

30. I overachieve to prove to myself that I am alive inside.

• Looks like I needed to puff myself up here. Dumb sentence. Next.

31. I consider myself very educated, but cannot write as well as I would like.

• I right gooder now THAN I used to did before. Because: education educated me.

32. There is so much I want to know, I need more lifetimes to learn it all.

• Blah, blah, blah. Knowledge is power. Bada bing boop boop bah.

33. I feel that my close circle of friends bring me up, not down.

• True although when you hang out with guitarists and bass players, this statement is questionable. Just kidding. Love you.

34. I can be a snob around people who annoy me

• Ha! Still working on this. I’ll just leave that there.

35. This is my age, but not the end of my list

• Clearly I was running low on thoughts while trying to be cute. Swing and a miss.

36. I consider my looks to be average, but my personality to be above average.

• Obviously this one was me fishing for compliments, which is 90% of social media use right? Look at me! I’m doing great! My life is amazing! Simmer down over there everyone. Elon Musk owns us all. Haha.

AND NOW FOR THE 50-YEAR OLD AMENDMENTS TO MY DECLARATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL MORONIMITY. 

37. If a man speaks in the woods and a woman is not there to hear him, he IS still wrong.

38. My boys have shown me a kind of love that I didn’t know was possible before I had children.

39. My wife is a Saint. I married up.

40. There is more to life than meets the eye. Go out and look around. You’ll see.

41. It’s ok to reflect on the past, but not ok to live in it.

42. Living with a chronic illness, I have been given a great gift: I have seen deep caring and good in others throughout my life. 

43. It’s easy to be happy when things go well. Not as easy when you feel as though you’ve been dumped in a swamp with no compass.

44. One way to my heart is great food, good wine, and wonderful people. Together.

45. If I concentrate really hard, I can imagine warm cooking smells from my childhood.

46. Some of the best people in your life are your neighbors. I love you all.

47. I find deep meaning in the lyrics of Rush, the Canadian rock trio. I’ve seen them more in concert than any other band.

48. Get busy living, or get busy dying. Shawshank.

49. When I’m in public, I wish everyone would put their cell phone away.

50. I cannot actually believe how fast 50 years have passed since I was born. I am full of excitement about what happens next. The future is unwritten for us all. Let’s meet it with an open mind, and heart while realizing that life itself is truly amazing. 

Stay awesome, stay safe, and stay tuned. Send money. Just kidding. As Tony Soprano said on his birthday….All I would like are a few, kind words…Bada Bing!