The Chicken in the Truck: A Reflection

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Many years ago, my husband and I were driving on the freeway (highway), and we saw several chickens dead on the road. They obviously came out of a semi-truck that was probably on it’s way to the processing plant because they were pure white, (the kind used for eggs and meat).

The discussion of the question continues to this day: Would you rather be the chicken on the truck or the chicken that jumps from the truck? One choice, you surrender to your fate not knowing what will happen but maybe you will live, and the other choice, you try to change your course, not knowing if you will be killed instantly or survive and find freedom and your own choice of future.

I made a big decision last month, and am ready to begin my new path, (in a few weeks). I haven’t thought about this questions for a few years, and it seems everytime I make or am faced with making a big decision or have made a big decision, I think about this question.

Upon reflection I am identifying myself as the chicken who jumps from the truck.  Reflecting on the current path I am on, I don’t like where I am going, soI concluded that I needed to take that “leap of faith” and try for something different.  It maybe worse (in which I will jump again) or it may be better, (inwhich I will stay until it becomes worse then I will jump again). 

I may be viewed as someone who won’t settle….but why do we have to settle?  Why do we tell ourselves, “This is as good as I’m going to get, so what use is trying to change things?”  As long as I am trying to get out, to change my life for the better, to improve my situation, to make a better life for myself, then I know that I haven’t given up.  Some people have made this “leap of faith” in their mind, as did Viktor Frankle wrote about in “Man’s Search for Meaning” about his experiences in Nazi death camp, in Aschwitz, Germany. And others take a physically leap, as did the people escaping the burning buildings of 9/11.  Being the master of your future, regardless of the outcome, is what gives you hope, inspiration, motivation and focus of your life.

Who do you identify with?  The chicken on the truck, or the chicken who escaped?

Please feel free to leave a comment…

photo credit: AlicePopkorn via photopin cc

A Reflection of 50

I was born on an interesting day. Not only did my parents celebrate Easter that day, they celebrated my birth. But what of other anniversaries on the day of my birth, April 14th? Well, they include the day Abraham Lincoln was shot, the Titanic struke an iceberg, the 1 billionth Chinese person to be born (in 1989), the French Revolution begun, and Les Miserables opened on Broadway.

From a scientific perspective, it is the recognition of a day the Earth is in the same location in relation to the sun in space. On Jupiter, I would be a lot younger, and on Mercury I would be a lot older. Some say the placement of the stars influences the person’s personality. I have many characteristics of an “Aries”, but I have found more in common with other people named Mary, than with other Aries.

But what about the day for me? My first vivid memory of a birthday celebration, my 5th, was me sitting at the head of the table, with my family and friends around it, singing Happy Birthday, and me, I was crying. Looking back at it, I think I was happy, but the attention was overwhelming. Other birthday celebrations included parties, outings to special places and being spoiled by family. The past several years, I have celebrated with one of God’s greatest gifts, a loving and amazing husband, and two beautiful and healthy children. Today, I was served a delicious breakfast, and will be treated to a “home spa” by my family. They tell me it’s an oatmeal day (which explains the oatmeal pancakes).

As I look in the mirror, I can’t think of what I thought I would look like, on this monumental benchmark. I know others who look younger than I at my age, but most look older, or at least act older. I credit being a teacher and having young children, for why I am active and energetic, (I have to be to keep up). I am healthy, with no health problems that I can even think of. A few gray hairs are shining in the sun, but I don’t need to color my hair to hide my years. Some wrinkles on my face are moisturized nightly, but still accent the edges that frame my smile.

Of all the things I reflect on this year, and lately every year, is the true appreciation of my age. So many people were not as fortunate as I, to make it to this number. For whatever reason, they passed on at a much earlier age. I think of my friend in high school who died from a motorcycle accident, he didn’t get to graduate. I think of the baby who died in the hospital room down the hall who won’t have any birthdays, yet my baby was born alive and healthy. I think of the college student who enlists in the army, doing what he felt was right, and is killed a month later.

There are many people, who don’t and will never have the pleasure of seeing the wrinkles, the gray hair, and to look deep into the eyes of the reflection of a person staring back at them, that hold the memories of a life time, ready to document more. I can’t and won’t ever complain about how old I am, for I am blessed to have made it as long as I have.

photo credit: Aih. via photopin cc