I guess milestones are most often measured or recognized at specific – usually even – junctures, and the fact that this is the 200th version of this column has kind of put me in a reflective mode.
As I’ve often stated in the past, this series shares a trait with TV’s “Seinfeld Show” in that both are “about nothing.” But while attempting to document life’s experiences, oddities and wonders in words by producing these random journalistic tidbits, I have – of course – also been involved with the more “real” side of what I do for a living.
And that means a lot to me.
During my time with the Houston Herald, I’ve had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with many wonderful people I might otherwise have never met, and had the good fortune of becoming close friends with some of them. I’ve also been involved in dozens upon dozens of activities and become aware of countless situations that would likely have not even been on my radar, let alone a big part of my life.
I don’t take any of that lightly.
As I reflect back on the time that has gone by during the run of 200 of these (which, of course, has for various reasons not been comprised of consecutive weeks), I wish to point out that I appreciate all the moments I’ve spent with the people who have been on the other end of my voice recorder and camera. I’ve enjoyed the heck out of all of it, and I wish I could take everyone who has offered me the chance to join them in their hobbies, activities and passions up on those offers.
You know, if I could (like if there were 72 hours in a day) I’d be an expert in dozens of fields (like woodworking, firearms marksmanship, farming and horseshoe pitching, just to name a few). Obviously, that’s not possible, but I want everyone who has made such an offer to know I like to dream of what it would be like if it was.
Even though I can’t make a habit of being a regular at every club around or becoming an expert at every craft or activity I stumble upon, it’s hard to put into words the feeling I get from simply absorbing the bountiful knowledge and expertise displayed by so many people, and being witness to such a wide range of God-given gifts. Even becoming familiar with things like the inner-workings of law enforcement and judicial procedure fascinates me to no end (there’s way more to it than meets the evening news).
Picturing myself doing all this stuff will always be hard for me – I can only describe it as humbling, and I’m glad such a rare opportunity is sort of in my daily routine.
Anyway, as long as God wills, I’ll continue to plow through set after set of diverse and enjoyable moments, and then try to do them justice in sentences and photos on the pages of a newspaper. All the while, I’ll be aware of the blessing it all is.
And Lord willing, maybe I’ll eventually end up having another 100 of these columns in the hopper. Not that there’s anything Earth-shattering about that idea.
It really amounts to nothing.
Doug Davison is a writer, photographer and newsroom assistant for the Houston Herald. Email: ddavison@houstonherald.com.
