the expert

I think he's amazing. Every other night, my husband, David, does 60 push-ups. I sit folding laundry in the comfy chair, watching and making comments. For the record, David points out that he doesn't actually do 60 in one shot, but rather 3 sets of 20, with a short rest in between. Nevertheless. 

I can only do one push-up. David will say, "Well, honey, two years ago, I, too, could only do one." That is how he works. I've seen it time and again over the nearly 19 years of our marriage. He puts his mind on something he wants to do and then step by step, he systematically makes it happen. 

Thirteen years ago, miserable in a dull and dry Air Force Reserve desk job, David fiddled on the computer every night at home and took a few programming courses. He applied for the IT job he really wanted and was told he needed more experience. So he took more classes in the evenings after work, often staying the night with his brother and friends to be near the university and the tech school. On his own, he read and studied a roomful of heavy books so technical the titles alone put me to sleep. He taught himself his craft to a level of expertise most in his field will never reach. He got the job he was after. Many jobs later, a career he loves is the reward. Today, David is one of the few people I know who wakes up cheery because he can't wait to get to work in the morning. What a wonderful example for our children and for all of us in the neighborhood.

I am very lucky to live with a guy like David. Once I actually figure out what to do myself, he'll be my #1 supporter, encouraging me to go for it. Unlike the direct course of my straight-shooting partner, my own path is more meandering. For decades, I've wandered through this gentle maze, with a list of enjoyed activities that's disturbingly long for one, short lifetime. I often lose my way in the tangle of possibility, flitting from one obsession to the next.  "Jack of all trades, master of none" seems about right, but a little too depressing. Instead, I will refer to myself and those of my ilk as Polymaths, people whose knowledge is not restricted to one subject area. Plus, I always liked math. And English and science and band . . . 

UPDATE: As of today, May 23, 2009, my husband has upped his numbers to 75 push-ups. Go, David!