Larry Gross:  

Life 25 years later - Here’s my opportunity to be philosophical and reflective on my successes and failures. How do I measure my success and what to use as a barometer to gauge this success? Personal income, acquisitions, relationships, spiritual or personal growth may all be indicators. Possibly it’s only a matter of opinion and is it my opinion or is it exclusively the readers? I do confess that my name is not emblazoned on the side of any buildings or on the cover of any magazine; I’m not even in the phone book. My life certainly didn't turn out as I had expected. I never entertained the thought of working in aerospace as an engineer or living where I do, yet here I am. Fate, luck, determination, or God’s grace may all be contributors to these experiences and events. That’s fine, except I don’t believe in fate or luck. Through trial and error I’ve allowed events to transpire as well as making things happen. Opinions are made and books are written on both subjects and aren’t exclusive to either. I’ve discovered that while physical pain has its drawbacks emotional pain is the most devastating. I’ve experienced the death of my son, divorce once, and recently my mother passing away. I’ve also broken a foot rock climbing, been involved in a motorcycle accident, and a snow skiing accident. While the physical pain may be annoying, the emotional pain far out weights the former. As for failures, why bother, is it to anyone’s advantage to admit, “Yes, I’ve fallen on my face...” other than an outward display of humility? I’ve never been arrested, I'm not an alcoholic, never been to anyone’s rehab, never taken up cult religions, no body piercing(s), and never went postal. I was once compared to a 5 act play written backwards, also a paradox. I've even had a poem or two written by me (see paradox). I’ve been called a few names, but I’ve managed some accolades along the way to offset the dips in the road. In the line of successes and accomplishments—in no particular order—I have a great job that pays well, worked on some really cool aircraft and space programs, investments, retirement accounts, money in the bank, a pension in the distant future, a mortgage on a really nice home, own all my vehicles [read-no car payments], married a beautiful lady that brought three neat children with her (currently 14, 19, 23), good friends, three dogs, zero credit card debt, and am blessed to be in good health to enjoy all of this. I have been to a few places, seen some things, done a few things, and encountered more nice people than unpleasant ones along the way. I’ve said before that I’ve only once said something truly profound that was all my own. However, for the life of me I can’t recall what it was. It would have made a great bumper sticker. So some may say, I’ve fallen short of the mark, others may conclude that I have a rich life. If it is indeed my call, I figure I’ve done well and the show isn’t over yet. I hope you’ve en...Expand for more