Route 66

 

This is my Route 66 birthday. Like the iconic roadway from Chicago to Santa Monica, my life has had a diversity of experiences. I have stood on the heights of success and in the depths of despair. My days have taken me across fertile plains, grand rivers, through majestic forests, as well as being forlorn in the empty heat of a desert. I have met wonderful, generous people and have known my share of duplicitous hypocrites. My days have seen the road ahead for miles, beautiful sunsets, creation’s monuments, and have felt the awe of being so small in a landscape, vast.

Attractions along the way have included millions of written words, tens of thousands of students, hundreds of speaking opportunities, scores of essays, contributions through ten books, trips to five continents, four higher education degrees, three teaching levels, two educational awards, in one full life. I have taught junior high school through Ph.D. studies over forty years. The craft of teaching has been plied in both Christian and public settings.

My family has been my heart, hearth, and home; my friends have brought joy and encouragement. As for those who did me harm, Joseph said it best, “God meant it for good.” With Paul I would claim both, “I have known what it is to be in want and to have everything I need.” And for the abundance of life, David speaks for me, “All things come from You and of Your own we have given.” Traveling West toward the setting sun, I cast an eye East, to remember the bad and the good, to thank my family, friends, and my Lord for bringing me across my Route 66.

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There are 5 comments.

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  1. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Happy birthday, Mark.

    • #1
  2. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Happy birthday!  This June, I take a trip on Highway 68 . . .

    • #2
  3. DaveSchmidt Coolidge
    DaveSchmidt
    @DaveSchmidt

    I am aiming for the best highway in America, the 101. 

    • #3
  4. Randy Weivoda Moderator
    Randy Weivoda
    @RandyWeivoda

    This post calls for a little musical accompaniment. 

    Happy Birthday, Mark!

    • #4
  5. Mark Eckel Coolidge
    Mark Eckel
    @MarkEckel

    Randy Weivoda (View Comment):

    This post calls for a little musical accompaniment.

    Happy Birthday, Mark!

    Thank you! Loved it @RandyWeivoda ! Got my “kicks” just listening!

    • #5
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