Author: Mark Myers

I am a husband of one, father of four daughters, a dreamer, a builder, a believer, and most enjoyably a writer. In 2015, I became a reluctant Childhood Cancer Advocate as we lost our youngest daughter Kylie to the disease. Kylie taught me to steal joy from even the worst of circumstances and I will always be on the lookout for happiness among the thorns of life. Join me for a generous helping of laughter and tears.

The Twilight of My Ballet Career

.Reading time 5 minutes.

“After an illustrious career and a rigorous performance schedule, it has become clear that I must hang up my tights and retire from the dance. It is hard to step away from what has become my art, but I feel I must. The compounded stress of step after step has taken a toll on my weary body and I must now look to the future – hoping for recovery of both my basic mobility and my faculties. After putting my heart on the line for the audience day after day, I fear I have created a distance from my family that I must mend in this next season of life. Thank you to my fans and supporters – you have been my muse. I am blessed to be able to go out at the pinnacle of my career.”

The retirement speech no one attended…

Yes, I performed in the ballet last week. A performance for which I demanded  a one dollar check that I will not cash, thus making me a professional dancer. I feel very accomplished. Read More

Old Red is Not Dead

.Reading time 5 minutes.

“Old Red is not dead,” I proclaimed sadly as a reentered the house last week. It is a spring ritual here where the pollen coats the South in a pasty, yellow mist. Along with the budding azaleas and rejuvenated gardenias, the grass makes a clumpy appearance and I have to pull Old Red out of her graveyard under the back porch. Well, it isn’t a graveyard yet, because Old Red is not quite dead.

We’ve had Old Red for what must be sixteen years – well past her serviceable life. When my previous mower died, I saw her chained up outside the store with some other discounted models. Who can pass up a $400 mower for $87? Old Red called out to me in her shackles and I answered. The man said she had been returned because she leaked gas – which made her a perfect complement to my family, so I brought her home. Turns out a little duct tape on a leaky tube and she’s never spewed gas again. Wish I could say the same for my family.

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