Six of nine lives of the Voice from the Bullpen have been revealed this past fortnight, bringing us to the final three, the last two the heaviest lives, yet most rewarding ones. That’s not saying the first seven aren’t rewarding, but the final two literally hit very close to home. Let’s talk Life Seven first.

Life Seven, is Writer Life. For ages, back to grade school, I’ve enjoyed writing. I remember writing poems about each Cafeteria Lady at St. James School, somewhere around fourth grade. It was actually the first time I was paid for my writing, as the next few weeks, my lunch tray mysteriously got heavier, either with an extra meatball on Spaghetti Day, an extra piece of bread on a gravy day, or an extra half scoop of mashed potatoes when they were served. I didn’t really know it then, but it turned out I could professionally write.

I don’t think, though, I deserve to be called writer, journalist, author, as I’m mostly just sharing feelings, opinions, experiences, and memories. I almost feel like writing lets me help others remember their own lives growing up, or music listened to, or TV shows watched in our lives.

I hope I make people think about intolerance, unacceptance, prejudice, hate, and their opposites too. I hope I’m making people think about things I share about my life and my feelings, prompting them to reminisce about theirs. I don’t expect all who read my narratives to agree with everything I write, but just think about them, and if anyone disagrees, that’s okay, but at least respect both sides.

I’m an outspoken, loud, stubborn person. Orally, I’m more obnoxious than I want to be. Writing slows my mouth down, gets me to think about what I say in ways that don’t offend others, and respect all sides and everyone’s right to express their feelings. Whatever the case, I enjoy writing immensely.

Life Eight is Dad/Grandpa Life. I became Instant Dad the day I married Sally. I was scared to death. I had experience working with kids in classrooms, but they went home every night. Now I had kids going to live with me, and vice versa.

I relied on my upbringing, to raise Chas and Chris. No manual was available, so I shot from the hip sometimes, went by my gut other times. After basic needs (food, clothes, shelter), I then dealt with glasses/contacts, braces, hair, make-up, fashions, and dealing with teenage girls. If I was such a good writer, I’d have written a manual before getting married on how to do all this (especially with only one bathroom), and on a miniscule budget too.

We wanted to give our kids opportunities to expand their horizons too. Tried softball, gymnastics, swimming, music, art, Church youth group. Some things took, some didn’t. Then Jon arrived. A boy, so I wondered what things done with the girls might work with him, then develop ways to compensate for the many that didn’t. It was like starting over and having to write another reference manual. I think I screwed up more than succeeded, but one thing I succeeded in most was/is loving my children as much as I can/could.

Fast forward, now each of my kids have two kids of their own, and our oldest is called Grandma too. (She’ll hate, but forgive, me for saying that.) Don’t see kids/grandkids near as much as we’d like, but when we do I try to still give words of wisdom and tell them I love them very much. With the ones five and under, we just try and let them get to know us more with each visit/Zoom. Hopefully, we’ll see them more as we’re looking to do some travelling and get together for a summer excursion to see them more.

My Dad/Grandpa Life? Scary as hell, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Life Nine, is Husband Life. For 42+, I’ve been friend, lover, partner, consoler, teammate, and more to my bride, Sally. It’s another life with no instruction manual. It’s the life I worked hardest at, but probably failed the most at. I’ve learned a lot about how to make it work, though, much from my mistakes, more from my Mrs. I’ve learned give and take is vital to a relationship, but feel she’s given way more that I have, and I’ve taken much more than she has. She’s literally been my lifeline, pumping the blood through my heart that I need to live. I’m proud and honored to be her husband. I have no greater part of my life that I’m any prouder and more honored to be. So, why will this be the shortest life description? It’s not really, because none of the other eight lives I’ve “lived” would’ve been possible without Sally. My life would not be what it is, or has been, without her, so you can say she gave Spook nine lives when she brought him home, and gave me nine lives the day she said, “I do.”

You don’t have to be a writer to look back at your nine or more lives, but record them somehow, and share them with your kids and grandkids. You’ll be leaving your legacy with them.