His name was David.
I’m going to call him David #2 for reasons that will be clear in a few more lines.
He was two grades ahead of me in school and lived on the corner of 7th and Eric streets. I have only one vivid memory of him.
My best friend was David #1 and he lived two doors down from me in the 600 block of Franklin street. David #1 was also two grades ahead of me but we played together all of the time and he was like a brother.
By that I mean we went from playing to fighting sometimes several times in the same day.
On this particular day, we were all playing together and David #1 and I had one of our frequent fights. He stormed off toward his house and I was left with David #2. I was really upset about the fight and he said something that has proven true for over 50 years since that day. He said, “Gerry, you’re not a fighter. You’re a lover.”
I was in the 3rd grade. My mom married my stepfather in June after that school year and we moved. Both the David’s moved away at some point after that and I never saw them again.
Why did I begin with that story today?
Because I couldn’t think of anything to write about.
But, here’s the sequence of thought: I don’t know what to write … writer’s block … block … around the block … David who lived on the opposite corner of the block … a profound observation from an eleven-year-old boy … well, that was a productive trip around the block!
“You’re not a fighter. You’re a lover.”
I suppose my people-pleasing, conflict-avoiding, peace-seeking nature was already showing up—despite my frequent fistfights with David #1 and my younger brother, Jeff.
But there was also something in that observation of nine-year-old Gerry that sixty-year-old Gerry has returned to time after time for all these intervening years. And hundreds of people have affirmed it.
I have learned that there are a few things worth fighting FOR—but the list is really short. I prefer words like “advocating” or “championing” rather than fighting. I’ll even go for “defending” as long as we’re talking about people.
There is almost nothing I’m going to fight OVER.
I’m not going to suggest that anyone take my approach to life (though I certainly think it’s a lot healthier than going around looking for a fight).
What I am going to suggest is that every person reading this should understand who you really are—the unique and amazing you God created—and find a way to live purposefully in that God-given identity.
If I can help people know how much they are loved by God, how much their lives matter, and that I love them and will seek their benefit, then I’m well on the way to living my amazing.
Even if I can’t think of anything to write.
Be amazing today, my friend.
