The Path of Obscurity

It's so true, that "You can never go home". This was brought to mind just 2 days ago, as I had just returned visiting Ellicott City, the place of my birth. Born at home, in the "Colored" section of town, with a "midwife" present, was not a good beginning. My father died before I turned 3 years of age, and there was a succession of "fathers", mostly without any redeeming qualities. Being a child on welfare made me angry, and desperate to make something better of my adult life, which I believe that I did beyond my wildest dreams. It is difficult to look back at life's many turns and , realize that everyone has either died, moved away, divorced, or disappeared from your life for any number of other reasons.

But the years passed, and everything changed. Everything is different. I used to proudly view myself of somewhat of a historical figure in the old town, but it seems that I am the only one left to remember those days. Perhaps this is how many of us view our past, but we're too close to it to be objective.

I suppose that is what most people feel like sometime during mid-life, and it will pass. I am reminded of another historical figure from the old town, Kenneth Olin. When he turned 70 years old, he took up oil painting as a hobby. Now this was an unlikely hobby for Mr. Olin as he had years earlier retired from the U.S. Army as a Colonel in the artillery. He was, as they say, "A tough old bird", and yet, there he was, 70 years old starting a new hobby, which he became so good at, that it became his new career.

I am also reminded of the greatest architect that has ever lived, Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright was "washed up and old" at 70 years, and out of fashion with the public and critics. And that is when he, at 70 years old and dismissed, designed and build one of the worlds greatest architectural masterpieces, "Falling Water".

Lastly, I would like to quote one of the greatest thinkers of all time, Elbert Hubbard, who said "The earth is a vast graveyard where untold millions of men lie buried, but out of the myriads who pass into forgetfulness every decade, the race holds a few names embalmed in undying amber" You can follow Elbert Hubbard on Twitter

I guess I just have to wait and see what I will be doing at 70 years old, perhaps I should take up oil painting.