Bits and Pieces.... the extraordinary life of an ordinary man

March 30, 2011 at 8:56 pm · Filed under Random Thoughts, Some truth to it ·Tagged author, Be Still.... and know that I am God, Charles L. Mashburn, children, death, dreams, dying, encouragement, faith, family, fear, funny, God, good old days, grass stains, grouchy, hope, humor, Jesus, joy, last good-bye, laughter, love, novels, old man, Peace, Pennies From Heaven, poetry, sadness, skinned knees, writer

The following is the rough draft of what will be the introduction to my story. I’ve come to the realization that I write for me, and so I’ve decided my last work should be about me. I may post bits of it as I go along; maybe not. For I’ve realized another thing in recent days, and that is people are far too busy to read. Don’t get me wrong; I understand, and I appreciate those who take time from their busy days to read some of the too, many things I throw at the world in general.

I’m rambling. Catch y’all tomorrow… or the next day. Love ya! C

Bits and Pieces….

The extraordinary life of a very ordinary man

by

Charles L. Mashburn

            I’ve come to believe the life of a man—an ordinary man—is made up of bits and pieces of his past. My intent is to share the fragments of my life, with you, in the hopes that when the telling is done, something whole and worthwhile will have been created from the jumble that rolls daily through my mind. Perhaps by doing so, I can make sense of it, help you to make sense of it, and my time on this earth will have had some value.

            Lest the title lead you astray, I have nothing extraordinary to tell you. The life and times of Charles L. Mashburn have not been filled with harrowing incidents of danger and intrigue, adventure, and romance; but have been—to date—most ordinary. But…. is that in itself not extraordinary? I contend it is so, and as I’ve already said, I hope it will prove to be, if nothing else, entertaining in its ordinariness.

            I some of what I relate will make you laugh, because throughout most of my life making others laugh has been my utmost goal; not as a comedian, but simply as someone with a quick wit and a desire to bring a little levity to the lives of those around me. I freely admit that many times my wit and the use of it to make people laugh was a mask of sorts. A charade behind which was hidden a very insecure and frightened individual. I overcame the fear part of the equation as I grew older, but the insecurity clung to me like Louisiana gumbo mud to a waffle-soled boot.

            I have to warn you though,  much of what I have to tell will tug at your heart and perhaps cause a tear to slide down a cheek. I will include many stories—some I’ve already written, some I’ve not put a pen to—which are quite painful. I will tell them because they are pieces of the whole, but there are some the writing of which have caused me to sit sobbing at my desk. The laughter in my life has been abundant, but the pain has at times been fierce, merciless and all too plentiful, as well.

            So come along with me if you will, as I examine the things that have clung to my mind with such ferocity as to beg to be told. Laugh with me, cry with me, sigh with me, and in the end… I hope—as I hope to do when I come to the end of this ordinary life—you will lean back in your chair, place the book on the table and say, “My, but that was good.”

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