Second Chances in Life

  We are born. We live our lives. We pass on into eternity. For most this describes what takes place during our lives. However, it leaves many blanks which are filled with a plethora of events that are part of our destiny. Those events include the many times, in our lives, that we are given "A Second Chance!"

  Marvin's life was not much different from most of those folks who happened to be born during the "Baby Boom." Except for a few bumps along the path to living a full and complete life, he had a well nurtured childhood. He graduated from high school in the 1960's. Following high school, he graduated, in four years, from a small college. Upon graduation from college, he began his career as an elementary school teacher.

  As his educational career began, he was faced with a divorce just 18 months after he married. During this time, his one and only child was born. During his first teaching year he began his graduate studies. His aim was to become a principal after attaining his Masters Degree in Administration. It was not to be. He enrolled, several times over the next ten years, in graduate studies to acquire his Masters Degree. Something always became a stumbling block and the result was he never reached his goal of becoming a grade school administrator. None the less, he did his best as a classroom teacher.

  Over the years Marvin was involved with several close, or so he thought, relationships. Three of these were marriages and each ended in divorce. He spent much time after each in the "pity me" stage. Yet a second chance came his direction. He met and after a year married Barbara. This indeed was a second chance to achieve fulfillment within the bonds of marriage. Fourteen years  have passed, he and Barbara draw strength from each other daily. They have a solid relationship.

  Upon reflection, Marvin has been blessed many times with "second chances" in his life. These have come in many forms. He reestablished an extended relationship with his only daughter and his five grand children. God certainly had blessed him with this "second chance." Marvin was always able to land on his feet when it appeared his life was in a free fall. He came through many bouts of depression through the opportunities of  "second chances." He became reacquainted with many friends, who at one time, he thought he lost forever. He'd learned over the years that he had to reach out on his own if he were to gain control of his destiny. His health had been an up and down ride due to various problems that were of a physical nature. The least of which was a total hip replacement when he was but 52 years old. All his life he'd been very active physically, and yet this stumbling block set him back a bit. He got a "second chance" in this area when he spent several months preparing for participation in the Colorado Senior games in 2006. Given that "second chance" some 45 years after competing in high school track he entered the Senior Games with an open mind. His goal was just participate. Anything beyond that would be cherished as an individual victory! To his amazement, Marvin after entering five different events, won a medal in each!

  Today Marvin cherishes each day at 5:30AM. He starts some new adventure to keep himself thinking and proceeding forward with his life. He cherishes every moment that he is able to be part of world that provided him with "A Second Chance!"



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