It was a big one too. I came across an internet meme today that kind of hit home and as I was thinking about it, I realized i had missed a pretty big anniversary date in my life.
October 15 marked forty years living in Alaska. But it will never be enough. Like August Birch-Alder says, "a real Alaskan is someone who has lived here a year longer than you have." So until you are the last one standing, you aren't one. I can deal with it. I've put in my time and I've had my adventures and to some that is an accomplishment. I like the idea of living in a place where endurance counts, someplace the vast majority of people don't want to, in this case often dissuaded by the climate. (Shhh. Our little secret.) Whenever I have to describe something about Alaska to a new person, I try to make it sound as harsh as possible, so while they will appreciate the place, they wouldn't want to live here. So many Alaskans moved here from someplace else and over the years I have discovered a good number of them wished the gates had closed once they were inside, me included. Unrealistic, of course. So, endurance counts and 40 years is a milestone. It only takes 30 to qualify for an obituary in Alaska Magazine.
Now about that meme. No matter how good the news, something will always come along to put you in your place. Turns out my birthday, which is within a few days of the Alaska anniversary, has been designated International Day of Failure. First one who says that explains a lot is off my list. To the good, science is based on failure and learning from a failure allows you to move on to bigger and better failures. So it goes.
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