One Step, Then Another: The Art of Just Keeping On
82 Years — 82 Lessons
By Mike Cunningham Sr. | Mike's Observations
There comes a time in a man's life when he realizes he isn't quite as bulletproof as he once thought.
For me, that realization has come somewhere around my 82nd year.
Now, don't misunderstand me. I'm still a pretty tough old coot. I spent four years in the United States Marine Corps, worked decades in the oilfield, raised a family, and survived enough of life's storms to know that giving up has never accomplished much.
But at 82, I've discovered something that wasn't quite as obvious when I was 22.
Sometimes the greatest act of courage isn't charging into battle. It's simply getting up tomorrow morning and taking another step.
When Life Changes the Rules
My wife, Laural, and I have been married since 1967. That's nearly six decades of sharing life's adventures, raising a family, celebrating victories, and weathering some pretty difficult storms.
Today, life looks different from what it did years ago.
Laural has faced serious health challenges, including quadruple bypass surgery and congestive heart failure. Her energy isn't what it used to be, and neither is mine, although I hate admitting that last part.
These days, I do most of the cooking and a good share of the housecleaning.
Now, I'll tell you something. After spending years in the Marine Corps and the oilfield, I never imagined that one of my greatest challenges at 82 would be figuring out what to cook for supper!
But that's life.
Sometimes you're commanding men, solving problems, or running an operation. Other times you're standing in the kitchen wondering what to do with a package of hamburger meat.
And sometimes that hamburger meat wins!
The Battles Nobody Sees
Over the years, our family has experienced losses that left permanent marks on our hearts.
We've buried people we loved dearly, including a grandson whose passing devastated our family.
His children are growing up now, and one of those little boys looks so much like his daddy that sometimes the resemblance takes your breath away.
There are joys in watching those children grow, but there are memories that never completely stop hurting.
I've learned that grief doesn't necessarily disappear with time.
You simply learn how to carry it.
And some days, that load feels heavier than others.
Daddy Can Handle It
I suspect my children still see me as the man who can fix anything.
Daddy can handle it.
Daddy will figure it out.
Daddy always does.
And for most of my life, I've done my best to live up to that reputation.
But here's something I've learned after eight decades on this earth:
Even the strongest man gets tired.
That doesn't make him weak.
It makes him human.
I've discovered that being strong isn't always about how much weight you can carry. Sometimes it's about knowing when you need to put something down.
And sometimes it's about admitting that you could use a helping hand.
That's a lesson I'm still learning.
Finding Joy in Unexpected Places
One of the things that keeps me going these days is my blog, Mike's Observations.
Now, imagine that!
An 82-year-old former Marine, oilfield hand, photographer, and preacher sitting at a computer writing articles, publishing novels, making videos, and trying to figure out what the latest social media platform wants from him.
Some days I think technology was invented specifically to test the patience of old Marines.
But I love it.
I enjoy writing about faith, politics, family, common sense, and the lessons I've learned along the way.
Sometimes I stir up a little controversy.
All right, maybe more than a little!
But it gives me something to look forward to. Something to create. Something that reminds me I'm still here, still thinking, still learning, and still contributing.
And I believe that's important.
A man doesn't stop having something worthwhile to say simply because his hair turns gray and his knees start complaining.
Faith for the Next Step
As a Christian, I've learned that God doesn't always show us the entire road ahead.
Sometimes He only gives us enough light for the next step.
Psalm 119:105 (NKJV) tells us:
"Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path."
Notice that a lamp lights the path in front of us. It doesn't necessarily illuminate the next twenty miles.
That's where faith comes in.
I've lived long enough to know that life can change in an instant.
A doctor's diagnosis.
A telephone call in the middle of the night.
The loss of someone you love.
A fire that destroys everything you've worked for.
I've experienced enough of those moments to understand that tomorrow isn't promised to any of us.
But neither is tomorrow something we should automatically fear.
It's another opportunity.
Another sunrise.
Another chance to love somebody, help somebody, encourage somebody, or perhaps make somebody laugh.
The Art of Just Keeping On
Someone recently asked me how I manage everything at my age.
My answer wasn't particularly profound.
"I just keep on keeping on. One step and then another. I keep helping where I can and stumble through life."
The more I think about those words, the more I realize they summarize much of what I've learned in 82 years.
You don't have to have all the answers.
You don't have to win every battle.
You don't have to be the strongest person in the room.
And you certainly don't have to pretend that life is always easy.
Sometimes you simply have to get out of bed, put your feet on the floor, thank God for another day, and do the best you can with what you've been given.
Some days you'll accomplish a great deal.
Other days, just making it through will be accomplishment enough.
And that's all right.
One Final Thought
If you're young, don't be in such a hurry to get old.
And if you're old, don't spend all your time wishing you were young again.
There's still life to be lived at every age.
There are people who need your love, stories that need telling, and lessons worth passing along.
As for me, I'm going to keep writing, keep learning, keep loving my family, and keep trusting the Lord.
I'll probably complain about my aching knees occasionally.
I'll undoubtedly get frustrated with my computer.
And I'll likely stir up a little more controversy before it's all over.
But tomorrow morning, Lord willing, I'll get up and do what I've always done.
One step.
Then another.
And just keep on keeping on.
Semper Fi.
Mike Cunningham Sr.
mikesobservations.com
82 Years — 82 Lessons
Eight Decades of Faith · Service · Adventure · A Life Well Lived.
