Log in Subscribe
Musings and Memories

Still a N. Dakota boy

Doug Dezotell
Posted 7/30/22

Lynn and I are going to take a vacation together, just the two of us… no children, just Lynn and Doug.

We are flying up to North Country, to the land that produces people like me.

I am a …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in
Musings and Memories

Still a N. Dakota boy

Posted

Lynn and I are going to take a vacation together, just the two of us… no children, just Lynn and Doug.

We are flying up to North Country, to the land that produces people like me.

I am a North Dakota Boy through and through!

Like they say: “You can take the boy out of North Dakota, but you can’t take North Dakota out of the boy.”

I think they say that. Well, I just said it! So… it must be true. Right?

We are going up North to see my big sister, Cindi, and her family. Cindi just celebrated the Big 7-0… So we are going to celebrate Cindi. Maybe we’ll even eat cake.

And…Lynn and I are going to attend my 50th High School Class Reunion.

The last time I saw most of those people we were just 18 year old kids ready to go out and tackle the world. And now… we are older, greyer, and hopefully wiser.

Looking back over they years from 1972 to 2022, I can honestly say that I’ve learned a lot; and maybe, just maybe, I’m even a little bit wiser.

Over those 50 years, I’ve learned…that it’s not what you have in your life but who you have in your life that really matters.

I’ve learned…that it takes you a long time to become the person you want to be. And I’ve learned…that you shouldn’t be comparing yourself to others. Let’s just be the ‘ME’ that God created us to be.

I’ve learned…that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for the rest of your life.

And, I’ve learned…that it takes a good while to build trust with someone, and just like that… trust can be gone with the snap of a finger.

I’ve learned…that you should always leave your loved ones with kind and loving words. Tell them that you love them. It may be the last time you see them.

I’ve learned…that real heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

And those heroes don’t wear capes and leap over tall buildings or fly around at the speed of light.

I’ve learned…that you and your best friends can do anything, or nothing, and have the best time doing it. You can talk up a storm or just be quiet and enjoy the silence…together.

I’ve learned…that sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel. I have a coffee mug that says, ‘Be Kind!’ And I need to take it’s advice.

I’ve learned…that true friendship continues to grow, even over long distances.

I’ve learned…that true maturity has more to do with what type of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from those experiences, and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.

I’ve learned…that Families aren’t always biological, and people you aren’t related to can take care of you and love you and teach you how to love others.

I’ve learned…that all the mess you make of your life can be cleaned up if you ask God to help you do the cleaning.

I’ve learned… that sometimes you have to discover how to forgive yourself… maybe even over and over again.

I’ve learned…that God is always willing to forgive us. And He will help us forgive others.

I’ve learned…that no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn’t stop spinning. We have to move on…one step at a time.

I’ve learned…that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I’ve learned…that just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other; and just because they don’t argue, it doesn’t mean they do.

I’ve learned …that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different. And that’s okay.

I’ve learned…that no matter how you try to protect your children, they will eventually get hurt, and you will hurt in the process. But you can hurt together…and then heal together.

I’ve learned…that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out for help, you will find the strength to help.

I’ve learned…that credentials on the wall don’t always make you a decent human being.

I’ve learned…that sometimes the people you care about most in life are taken from you way too soon. But, we need to keep moving forward and cherish the memories.

I’ve learned…that people may forget what you said, but people will remember what you did and how that made them feel.

I’ve learned…that we never stop learning. And I have so much yet to learn.