Big 50

As I reflect back in the last 50 years of my life I realize that I have accomplished a lot.

I have made many mistakes, some bad decisions, and errors that I learned from.

I have made some good decisions as well that led to success.             

I have traveled the world; visited 56 countries and 114 or so ports of call with the Navy.

All and all I feel that my life was good.

I struggled a lot, always had to strive, but have succeeded.

I have been picked on, stepped on, brought down, but in the end came out strong.

I have a Saint Micheal’s Medal that I believe has protected me from harm.

I have been wearing it for over 20 years. 

I have been to combat zones in Lebanon, Philippines, the Gulf, Iraq and Kuwait.

I have been to humanitarian operations in Africa.

The medal protected me from all of it;

ironically the day the medal came off is the day I was hurt.

It was the day I fell down the ladder well and was injured.

Stenosis to the spine, tendinitis in the right shoulder, damage to the right knee,

Tingling nerves down the right arm and in my fingers…

I found the medal part and put it back on with a key ring.

I know it will protect me from any more harm.

Now I just pray to my god Jehovah through his son Jesus for healing.

I am happy that I made it to 50.

But I want to live to at least 70. There is more I want to do. 

Namely to earn the Senior Grandmasters White Belt one day. 

I am still working toward my 8th Dan; 
and my physical therapist is working with me,
so I can continue Karate in-spite of my nerve and tendon damage...

Then I will work toward my 9th and 10th Dan Masters Red Belt. 

I still plan on moving to New Mexico in 2016.

I plan on finishing my auto-biography by then.

I plan on making Soke and teaching karate again one day.

Only god Jehovah knows what my future holds.

The highlifes of my past 50 years are:

*Becoming the Captain Crossing Guard in 1977 when I was 12

*Getting First Place in Archery in 1978 when I was 13

*Winning the Pine Wood Derby in the Cub Scouts in 1979 when I was 14

*Winning the Arrow of Light in the Boy Scouts in 1981 when I was 16

*Joining the Navy in 1984 and Receiving the Karate Outstanding Student of the Year Award at age 19

*Graduating from High School in 1985 at the age of 20

*My first West Pac deployment on the USS New Jersey BB-62 when I was 21

*My first Love experience when I was in Inchon / Pusan Korea in 1986 at the age of 21

*Making Boatswainsmate 3^rd class in 1989/90 when I was 24

*Making Boatswainsmate 2^nd class 1990 when I was 25

*Getting married to my wife Jill in 1991 at the Stanwood Apple Orchard when I was 26

Where my Grandfather; a Master Mason, and a humorous man, and mentor to me
was my Best Man at the wedding... Francis W. Inch, Sr.

*Creating my own Martial Arts Style Tiger Ryu Karate

and registering it with the World Self Defense Federation in 1992 at age 27

 *Coming home from Med Cruise seeing my son Timmy for the first time when I was 28

*Earning Black Belt in Karate in 1994 when I was 29

*Earning Culinary Arts Degree and Cook Second Class in 1995 at age 30

*Actually seeing the birth of my second soon Ken in 1998 when I was 33

*Earning AAS degree at the Community College of Rhode Island in 2000 at age 35

*Earning Security Certificate (many security trainings) 2002 at age 37

 *Earning Master at Arms First Class in 2004 at age 39

*Retiring from the Navy in 2007 at age 42

*Opening own in-house dojo in 2008 at age of 43

*Getting my name on stone! 

*Promoting Jana to Junior Black Belt in Tiger Ryu Karate in 2011 when I was 46

*Retiring from teaching karate class in 2012 at age 47

*Earning BA Arts Degree from Western Illinois University 2012 at age 47

*Earning Masters in Arts Degree from Regina University

Navy College Program 2013 at age 48

Now I am 50. What will I accomplish this year?