the coconut husk

“Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood” – Emerson

Living through lessons means taking chances.  Chances taken, lost, or waiting to be taken; they are worth it.  Hard to believe it has been a year for the coconut husk.  Took a chance.  Six continents and fifty countries read and viewed later, quite humbled and honored. Knew that stories were meant to be shared and can be powerful.  They can cross generations, geographies, and cultures.   Thank you for allowing me to share my journey with you and my hope is that you have been encouraged.   It has not been an ordinary journey by any means, and am reminded that “We meet no ordinary people in our lives.” – C.S. Lewis

What is it about stories?  I know that I love a good story and that is what lives are, a unique mosaic.  Writer Jeff Goins says it well about the power of stories:

“A story is where we came from and where we’re going. A story is what connects us and binds us to each other. It is in the story of God and mankind — amongst love and fear and failure — that we make meaning of our lives. A story is what defines us and sets us apart. It’s what allows us to connect with each another — to truly know and be known.  Nothing is so warm and inviting, yet so challenging and poignant, as a powerful story, told well.  They are written to be shared not only for our own sake, for the benefit of others.  Stories change people.”

Raised as a Third Culture Kid (TCK) in Asia by a single parent, and now one myself.  Gave my Dad a coconut husk for Father’s Day 2012.  Over the last year, as you may have read, through a storms and fog, purposes can find you.  There are times I go to my Solsbury Hill, and realize that I’m not one that listens to odds.  Also have learned that gifts not found under the Christmas tree are the best ones, though when summer arrives, it’s time to chase the sun.  I’m quite at home with the question “So, where are you from?“,  as it is part of the TCK mosaic.  Know that streets that have no name nor be found on a map are certainly worth the journey.  Then there is that special bond between Dads and Daughters, as my youngest celebrated a birthday, it hit me that it is happening all too soon.

I did not plan it this way, nor did my parents, and along the way chances were taken.  Some rolled away, some were lost.  However they represent hope and certainly helped me grow.  So, take them!  They are all you need.

Was honored to start in January of this year as a parent blogger at Single Parents Town (thank you Bill McLeod), blogging with other Moms and Dads who understand the challenges and sacrifices single parents face.  Thank you Michele, Davis, Jennifer, Bill, and Scott for taking chances and opening up your lives to encourage others, myself included.  This past spring, I addressed the subject of strength gained from scars (many of which result from taking chances):

‘In life, we’re going to encounter bumps and ‘jagged rocks’ as we climb through the years. Many of them hurt us, scar us, and leave us sore and bruised.  However we can choose to see all the bumps, bruises, and scars not in terms of the damage they caused, but as stepping stones that provide focus to a higher plane of living; they make you strong.’

As we head out for some long awaited time to chase the sun this summer, was thinking what I could put together that tells my story in pictures. I came across songwriter John Ondrasik who put it perfectly when it comes to chances,

“It’s all about taking the swing—there’s beauty in the scars.”

I look forward to another year of sharing experiences and lending a hand of encouragement and support to other single dads, kids of single parents, and Third Culture Kids.

Thank you for reading and being there. 

Until next time,

Ed