You know each year you are supposed to blow out the candles
on your birthday cake and make a wish.
When I was a child I even got asked to make a list of things that I
wanted for my birthday (yes, I even remember the beautiful grass green corduroy
pants from JCrew my mom actually got me).
Yet, tonight, when I was thinking of what I would wish for again, or to
make a list of what I would want…I came up with a very different set of
thoughts than in years past.
I think it goes without saying that many people in life have
to lose something to realize how good things really were, let go of someone to
know how much they meant to them, or face a wall of reality to come to the
conclusion how wonderful things actually were.
I wish never to have to do that.
I want to be able to see all of the good around me. I want to realize how wonderful my life is
and the people who are in it. I want to
embrace today and live with no regrets, being optimistic and ready for tomorrow. Those are my wishes and my wants.
So, right now, I want to take a second to say those things
out loud. It’s been 34 years…34 great
years, full of memories, great friends, moments, and so many life
experiences.
34 years ago on October 3, 1978, my Mother delivered a
breech baby. I know that day everyone talked about me…what a sad baby I looked
like (yep, breech will make you look very pitiful to begin with) but they were
all abuzz over the new Evans boy: Matthew Edward. Yet, my Mom carried me for those nine months…through
the summer. What a trooper she was and I
am so thankful that she did. If not for
her, I wouldn’t be here today. In fact,
if not for my family (my Mammaw & Pappaw and my Granny & Grandpa), my
Mom & Dad wouldn’t have been together to create me. So, for their love for each other, I also
give thanks.
Over the years I have had so many people who have made such
a positive difference in my life. My
first grade teacher Miss Melgren, that reading group in third grade who giggled
when I couldn’t read out loud efficiently (yep…got a ‘b’ that quarter…one of
the two I received in school…the other was in 6th grade, I think),
JR Hutcheson for telling on me for slapping Natalie Royer on her back while we
were in line in front of the building in 5th grade. Yes, those odd events shaped me into the
person I am today. In fact, just three
weeks ago I was looking at all of the stuff I had done in K-5 (my Mom has
actually kept EVERYTHING) and I can see that Christmas & Meteorology have
always been extreme interests of mine. Oops.
I digress.
Moving on forward. I
recall Mary Lou at Forbes drug store making me come pick up my candy bar off
the floor after I slid it across the counter, or me taking medication to the
shut-ins when I was working there in high school, and being a soda jerk for
five years (freshman in hs through freshman summer in college).
Helping the family with funerals, walking down to get lunch
at the Donut Shop, drawing out how I wanted to restore the iconic downtown Melba
theatre, and visiting with Sandy at the bank whenever I would drop by down
there.
These were experiences, some so very small, that shaped my
life, taught me to respect others, and revealed to me the importance of
community.
I moved on from the small town world of Houston, MO and to
the ‘big city’ of Springfield. I
stumbled many times. I would spend too
much money and would go sheepishly home to ask for help. I worked for a business that I considered
legalized loan sharks, but it paid my bills.
Then, something changed in me. I needed a change. I found the non-profit world. A new universe in which a community came
together to do as a group consciousness what I was taught growing up to do in
life. What an amazing world it was!
Today, I count myself one of the fortunate people in our
community to share the non-profit stage with so many phenomenal and giving
individuals: Volunteers, staff members, board members, mentors, peers, donors, partners,
and so many more.
I belong. I am so
humbled and honored to be a part of this community. I have always been proud of my upbringing and
those who have made an impact on my life.
In the entire world, my life may be fairly insignificant. However, they say that a butterfly’s wings in
Brazil can create a tornado in Texas. I know
that I am one of those butterflies fluttering alongside so many beautiful
others.
If I am given the opportunity to live another 34 years, I
hope to see that ‘tornado’ manifest itself into a glorious change…one that each
person who has contributed to it can be proud of. I also thank you, to everyone in my life
yesterday, today, and tomorrow for contributing to who I have been, who I am,
and who I am going to be. I am humbled
and so grateful to have each and every one of you in my life. Your friendships and support are the best
gifts a 34 year-old man could ever ask for, and I am eternally thankful.
Peace.
