It started with a French class.
Brooklyn College, 1959. A discussion of the philosophical writings of Blaise Pascal — 17th century philosopher and then some. I had truly enjoyed the writing, though I can’t recall which writing it was.
Our prof surprised us a bit, while bemoaning the fact that we, in the US, used the word “genius” way too often. He stated that Blaise Pascal was, in fact, a true genius — mathematician and physicist, in addition to being a great philosopher. My scant research of 17th century geniuses listed Pascal right along with Isaac Newton, Galileo and Descartes. Quite great company.
Our prof left us with the thought that the overwhelming majority of us, including himself, were just “ordinary” people. Maybe exceptional, but certainly not geniuses.
That word has stuck with me for sixty-some years.
Ok, enough about Pascal. How does yours truly fit in?
ORDINARY, it is.
Maybe not too bad. But certainly no big deal.
In my High School senior class, I ranked number 19 of about 500. Not number 1, but not bad.
At Brooklyn College AFROTC I ranked in the upper third of my Academic Class, my AFROTC class, and my AFROTC Summer Training Class. That was enough to earn the designation of Distinguished Military Graduate and a regular officer commission, rather than a Reserve Commission. (Better job security.)
I graduated Cum Laude. Not Summa Cum or Magna Cum.
Just Cum.
Again, just an ordinary man.
As for my professional life, I gratefully was able to serve for 30 years as an Air Force officer. An exciting, rewarding, challenging career.
After the Air Force, I gratefully served for ten years as an instructor/program director at Trident Technical College in Charleston. I was pleased to be able to help students and companies improve productivity and quality through continuing education at Trident.
Charleston was my wife’s “Happy Place.”
Ergo, it was my “Happy Place.”
Marjorie and I had an “Extraordinary” marriage for 61 years. We raised three “extraordinary” children and love 5 wonderful grandchildren — all grown up now.
And miracles do happen.
We now have 2 great-grands.
Who’d a thunk?
Ordinary. And grateful for every bit of it.
Enuf.