Thank you Rod McKuen

Inspiration of the day is from one of my favorite poets whom I have rediscovered after so many years. As a child I used to read Rod McKuen’s poetry. He inspired me to dream of a world outside of Danielsville, Georgia. A world where I could laugh, dance, and sing without fear of ridicule or embarrassment. I used to dream of traveling to places like London or Copenhagen, or any number of exotic locations. I wanted to climb mountains and fly around the world. Because of his poetry I felt like the whole world was open to me and that I could do anything I wanted to do.

Then I grew up and went to college. There I was so busy reading required material that I had no time for poetry, at least not the poetry that spoke to me. Sure, I read the greats in literature classes but they didn’t inspire me half as much as Mr. McKuen did. As I was struggling to earn my degrees I stopped reading for inspiration and enjoyment. I lost the ability to travel in my mind and in time I lost the ability to dream.

Recently I turned 50. FIFTY. An age that I never thought I would see. As a child 50 was, of course, ancient. In my 20s fifty was the age I gave myself to accomplish my goals. I have to do, fill in the blank, by 50. 50 was the age where I would have a lot of money saved so I could take the six months it requires to hike the Appalachian Trail. 50 was the age when I was going to travel the world. Go around the world on an adventure to rival any of Michael Palin’s adventures. 50 was to be prime me time.

Of course even the best plans don’t always happen. What happened? Life. Economic booms and busts. Greed and Apathy. I spent 11 years working at a great job where I had a nice 401k retirement plan. I was well on my way to saving enough money to enjoy my life after 50 without worrying about how to feed myself. However, forces beyond my control had other desires. I worked at Remington Products which was owned by Victor Kiam. Mr. Kiam was an unusual business owner. Somewhere in all his interests and business deals he had a glimmer of respect for his employees. He rejected numerous offers to sell Remington to a company that would liquidate the company and put his employees out of work. Unfortunately he was mortal. In 2001 he died and the company was sold. Remington was liquidated and hundreds of people were out of work. The name still exists, you see the products in discount stores, and at one time an aging supermodel was doing commercials for the “company” but that’s all you get. A name. The people who made Remington a great company and a great shaver are gone. Now this was not unusual. Sadly it was happening to thousands of other people in this country during 2004 and it would happen to millions more in the next five years.

Back to Rod McKuen. Fast forward five years and I am sitting in Athens, GA, just a few miles from where I grew up. Just a few miles from the land that inspired me to travel and dream in the first place. Just a few miles from where my mother would make sure that I had every opportunity available to this small town kid. And the world comes around full circle. Today I thought about that wonderful book of poetry that I read so many times I knew each poem by heart. So, I searched for Rod McKuen online and found him. I found the words that used to inspire me. I found a little peace today. I found a safe place to land. I will be back. Thank you Mr. McKuen for inspiring me once again.