What You Want

We’re still in childhood talking about my family and my dichotomous life. And what is the dichotomy? Well, on one hand, I have a manually operated set of social skills, combined with an on again, off again view of my appearance. On the other hand, I am a first born son who believes the sun rises on his left shoulder and sets on his right which often leads me to believe I might be good at anything I undertake. Think confidence.

Lucky for me, everything was in ascendance when I met my future wife. I was fresh out of the Navy, had a job at Ma Bell, and was getting ready to take the GI Bill off to college. I’d also decided to be witty and charming with the ladies rather than shy and reserved, my normal approach. Finally, my elevated sense of self-worth had me thinking I was a better player and singer than was warranted. She thought she was getting the complete package—a talented, motivated, musical man on a mission. By the time she realized her mistake, it was too late, and she was along for the ride.

Of course, it worked out. Turns out I am actually pretty good at a lot of things. Jobs came my way. I figured out how to get along in business. I identified my weaknesses and mostly overcame them. And given how things turned out, I guess I was exactly what she needed if not exactly what she wanted. And when you get right down to it, getting what you need might be way better than getting what you want because sometimes that thing you want isn’t what you need.

 Part 21, Living in America: An Old Man’s Journey into His Past