Beyond your view

Episode 2, March 2010
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Now and then, we find ourselves in a place where the future's uncertain. It may be filled with great adventure or even unbearable heartache. Whatever may lie ahead, it is always best to venture together when this next stretch of road is beyond your view.

Welcome to this Two Mile Stretch; March 2010, episode two.

A year ago today, I found myself in what might have been the greatest moment of anticipation in my life — the birth of my daughter, my first child. Those last several weeks were filled with so many questions, so many unknowns: what will she look like? Will she have her mother's eyes or my chin? Will I be a good father to her? Will I be able to handle the challenges that parenthood brings?

There was no shortage of questions, fears and concerns on the front end — that comes with the territory of venturing into the unknown. You may have preconceived ideas of what things may or may not be like, and people may have offered their own perceptions or shared their own experiences. But when it comes down to it, there is no substitution for what you live through first-hand.

The suspense was nearly intolerable for me, counting down the days to our due date and trying to find ways to pass the time. Each day was more of the same, feeling the baby kick my wife's belly, listening to our little girl reposition herself inside, and offering up prayers on a near daily basis, "dear God, I need your help. Don't let me screw this up."

Despite all the uncertainties, this one point was infinitely clear to me: I know that I am imperfect in every way, and will need the help of others if I am to be the kind of parent my daughter deserves — help from God, my wife, my parents, friends, family. They say it takes a village to raise a child, I say it takes a community to build good parents. When you're facing your own uncharted territory, it's best not to go at it alone.

Even when you're in good company and staring down your impending uncertainty, waiting can be the hardest part. The mind races back and forth with probing questions, your fears can cloud your ability to see with clarity, and if that wasn't enough, you may find yourself in a mental tailspin, creating scenario after possible scenario of what could happen. This is a sign, that you need to stop and regain your bearings, perhaps find a little comfort in some perspective from your friends.

It doesn't matter how you slice it, waiting isn't easy; and venturing into the unknown can be unnerving. But take heart, you've been here before — taking those first steps into your kindergarten class, diving into the deep end of the pool for the first time, or graduating from high school with your whole future in front of you; unknown, uncharted and beyond your view.

Be at peace. You're not alone.

Here's a short poem for today entitled "Forever Free"

Forever Free

Let’s stop for a moment to soak it in together
The radiant sun, the cool evening breeze
The smell of prairie grass and old leather
And birds singing overhead in the shade of the trees

My hair pasted to my forehead with sweat
And my eyes glued to the setting western sky
This is one ride that I will never forget
Even when the day has said its goodbye

For I know the company that I keep,
The truest of friends that promise to stay
They will laugh when I laugh, weep when I weep,
And will gladly ride on any old day

Perhaps tomorrow we’ll ride to the park
Or maybe venture to the forest edge
It doesn’t matter to me where we embark
So long as we all keep our solemn pledge

True to ourselves, true to each other
I’ll stand with you, you’ll stand with me
The best of friends, one to another
Forever true, forever strong, forever free

The featured song this month is called "Wait a Minute" — a song that tells the story of a couple on their own respective journey into the unknown, traveling through the night and finding themselves in new territory when day breaks.

Wait a Minute
Words and music by Michael Tangen

Day's breaking soon, been on the road all night
Mile one-o-one, not a soul in sight
Times like these, could best a man's soul
Cause him to pray, to find a better way home

chorus:
I don't know where this road is going,
But I know where I have been
Darlin' my fear is (tears are) showin'
Would you wait a minute here with me
Oh, wait a minute here with me

Life's not the same, since we turned down this road
I can't say I'm strong, enough to bear this new load
I will need you, and you will need me
To pray for the strength, when our troubles grow real deep

(chorus)

bridge:
The future's uncertain
Behind the big curtain
Is our great mystery
I'll go where you go
Through wind, sleet and snow
I'll comfort you in misery

(solo) (chorus)

Two Mile Stretch is a collection of reflections, poetry, photographs and music by Michael Tangen. All works are copyright 2010, all rights reserved. To purchase the featured song or to order prints of the photographs used in this podcast, visit twomilestretch.com, and then select episode two from the episode tab.

Thank you for listening to Two Mile Stretch. Your support, feedback and patronage is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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