Fifty years ... Wow, 50 years! My professional life was an obvious fit. I was an engineer/engineering manager for 44 years. Interspersed with work was backpacking, cycling and travel adventures in many countries. I was very fortunate to find and marry a great gal and have two wonderful children. Later in life, to celebrate my 60th and 65th birthdays plus my belief in education, I rode two bicycle trips solo across the USA to raise money for our local schools.

One memory may be appreciated by viewers of the "Big Bang Theory" show. Our physics teacher was a precise, literal person. One day an "unsuspecting student" was lost and needed to find a teacher to deliver a message. That "poor" female student entered our classroom in the middle of a lecture and asked our teacher, "Do you know where Mrs. Smith's classroom is?" My physics teacher replied, "Yes", and then continued his lecture. That "poor" student stood there waiting and waiting for the location of Mrs. Smith's classroom. Unfortunately, the student ONLY asked the physics teacher "if he knew where the classroom was" - and the teacher answered only that question. Then, after a long "uncomfortable" wait by the student, our physics teacher asked the student if she would like him to tell her the room number. She meekly said "yes, please" and the teacher finally provided the room number. (Note: There can be two reactions to this story. One can see the humor while noting it was not the kindest reply to that student.)

I went to college (UCLA), got undergrad/grad degrees in Engineering, had a fulfilling career in engineering, traveled, moved to Manhattan Beach, married the best/sweetest woman, and had two wonderful children.

I wanted to be a baseball player or an engineer. I enjoyed both very much.

Well, my wife and children cannot believe that I was VERY shy when I was in high school. AND, they often wish I were a bit more shy now.

Obviously, being on baseball and basketball teams was great fun. However, the math and science classes bring back fond memories, too.

Being more outgoing might have been more "fun". However, that might have been an uncomfortable role for me when I was young. So, no regrets.

Try to remember to count your blessings.