Do you remember that jingle? C’mon, I KNOW you’re old enough. David Bowie. For you younger readers, “Google him.” Take a close look at verse 1:

“Still don’t know what I was waiting for, and my time was running wild, a million dead-end streets and Every time I thought I’d got it made it seemed the taste was not so sweet. So I turned myself to face me, but I’ve never caught a glimpse of how the others must see the faker. I’m much too fast to take that test.”

Whew, there’s a lot to unpack there! I’d like to focus on “every time I thought I’d got it made it seemed to taste not so sweet.” Can you relate? I sure can.

Did good ‘ol Jefferson have on his “Bingo” card, back in June of 2019 that 6 years later he’d be living in Columbus, Ohio? Nope. How about he’d have back surgery, his right knee replaced, AND his left knee replaced? Nope. How about having to ask his youngest daughter to leave the house? Not even close! Want to sell 1/2 of his business and get away from “that” situation? Nada.

You know what else wasn’t on that same “Bingo” card? Finding a wonderful support system for Noah, so that he can not only live, but thrive as he goes through adulthood. Check. How about Jefferson finding a team of Mass Mutual advisors that shares the same work ethos and belief system that he does, so that he can transition into retirement next summer. Check. How about Jefferson and his best girl, Joyce, finding a wonderful church and church family that is so friendly, caring and supportive. Check. The list could go on, but you get the picture.

Mike Tyson once said, “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” What’s your plan? Do you have a support system around you? I hope so. I’ll agree, right now, to be part of your plan. Just call me.

Life isn’t about what happens to us, it’s how we react to what happens to us. David Bowie says he “turned myself to face me…”. Didn’t workout so well for him, going it alone. One thing I’ve really learned these past few years about life is this” you can’t “white knuckle” it. you can’t go it alone. You NEED people around you. People who genuinely care about you. I am one of those people.

Be well,

Jeff