Then and now

I spent many years thinking fame was my destiny, how could it be any other way, I’d been born for it. At different times I’d be famous for different things. As a kid I’d be a Hall of Fame Baseball player, after college I’d be a famous cartoonist. Then I was sure my fame would come as a top-notch bowler. Later I’d go into politics and become famous, maybe even President. Writing has always hung in there as a possibility, then I invented a new field sport and that was going to be the big thing. To be sure I showed some aptitude for each of these areas but the difference between my aptitude and what it takes to be famous is a huge four-inch wide pit where dreams go to die. 

Over time that manifest destiny I thought was mine for the taking slowly eroded and with that came a peace I’d never known. There is no longer any pressure to become famous, I’m content to just be “Ed.” If in the course of being “Ed” some measure of recognition happens that’s okay but if not that’s okay too.

I love people and if I can say or do something to make people feel good that’s just exactly what I love doing. Of course I need to tease folks along the way because that is my favorite thing of all, as long as it doesn’t hurt them in any way.