By Julie
Strzyz
October 21st
marked my 38th birthday. I’ve
always been a huge fan of celebrating birthdays – especially my own – but this
birthday hit me a bit differently. You
see, my father passed away at the age of 38 (when I was only 9 years old). He was a bright, talented guy with many
gifts. Unfortunately, he didn’t share those gifts due to fear: fear of failure,
fear of imperfection, fear of what others would think, etc. He let fear cripple him and it ended his life
early, leaving behind a young wife and daughter.
As a child, 38 seemed
forever and a day away. But we all know
what time does: it flies! So here 38 is…screaming and staring at me in the
face. And I am scared. Scared that I will let fear win by not doing all the
things I want to do and somehow have the same fate as my dad.
