Archives of Our Lives

{a narrow and broad look into the lives of people I love}

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

The Midst of Mediocrity

We're home from Idaho--just for tonight and tomorrow--and on Friday we'll be heading down to The Great State of AZ. All the time I've spent on the road lately has lent room in my head for Seriously Deep Thoughts. Thoughts like, "How many white reflector posts are between each mile marker sign?" and "Why don't 2008 Ford Super Duty tucks have 'objects in the mirror are closer than they appear' written in the mirrors?" and "What is my purpose in life?"

It's that last question I want to address here on my blog.

The first thing Poor Kyle and I did when we returned was watch last night's episode of American Idol. [Actually, the first thing we did was deal with a broken deep freezer--the second thing we did was watch A.I.] I've never watched a season--nary an episode--of American Idol before this month. And actually, I am quite impressed. Of course if I was the kind of person to actually vote, I would text in my choice for Little David. The 17 year old from Utah reminds me of the kind of guy I dreamed about in high school. He's cute in all the right ways, and my only fear is that if he wins, the world might corrupt him. Then again, if he doesn't win, he might become bitter and disillusioned, and then where would we be?


But I digress. Whether or not our Likeable David Archuleta wins the competition is beside the point. The point is, he knows what he's doing with his life--he's winning American Idol.

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a mineral scientist. Nothing else would do. I was fascinated by caves and caverns, stalagmites and stalactites, obsidian and diamonds. I was mildly obsessed with rocks. I had a whole slew of them--a rock collection, if you will. In a way they were my buddies. I kept them on my closet shelf in a cardboard tomato flat, and pulled them out every day after school, just to look at them. I'm pretty sure I even had names for them--I played with rocks like some kids play with Barbies (or Bratz, since I'm keeping up with the times [I never said I was cool from birth, okay? It's only been a recent character development]). Anyway, I wanted to go to science camp and intern at archaeological digs--it was my passion.

Somewhere during my education, though, I decided I hated science. And that was the end of it.

It makes me wonder what I'm supposed to be achieving. You know...in life. I don't want to live my entire 100 years in the midst of mediocrity. When all is said and done, when I'm dead and in Heaven (or Hell, depending on who you're commenting as!), I want to have passed some milestones--made my proverbial mark on the world. I don't want to die obscure.

The problem is...there's so much that needs changing; how am I supposed to do it all? Where does one even start? I wonder what David Archuleta would say about all this vagueness in my life.

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12 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Millie,

I have to admit, I was thinking, "Where in the world is she going with this? How did we get from American Idol to stalagmites and the David Archuleta?" At any rate, I hope you figure out your destiny. Rather, I hope you make your destiny. You are only as restricted as you allow yourself to be. You have so much to give...I hope you figure it out!

P.S.: Can't wait to see you! Only TWO MORE DAYS!!! I'm going to go buy Preston's blessing outfit today. Can you guys please bring your fancy cameras so we can take some good pictures of him?

February 28, 2008 at 6:39 AM  
Blogger linda rae said...

oh my gosh. Did you know that Kyle loved rocks too? Or maybe it was bones. Yes, it was bones. In a field, down the alley, when he was a little boy, were DINOSAUR bones. Yep. Still white...not yet rockified, they were. But definitely dinosaur bones, he knew. They were buried in the dirt of that lovely old COW pasture back there. He would dig them up, put them in his little red wagon, and bring them home. We would find them arranged on the front step into their original dinosaur shapes. He diligently studied his favorite dinosaur book that showed pictures of all the different skeletons. I tripped over many a dinosaur bone back then as I walked out the front door.

Rocks and bones. You two have more in common every day. Who knew?


Kyle's mom

February 28, 2008 at 7:25 AM  
Blogger Cristin said...

I worry a lot about mediocrity too. I look at these people that have achieved great things and wonder when they did it, have I missed the boat? Lots of people think that getting married and even having children will solve life's big questions of what you're supposed to do, but it really doesn't. You still have to figure it out, you know?

I probably would have been in love with David Archuleta in high school too.

February 28, 2008 at 7:50 AM  
Blogger Jami said...

well, I LOVE David Archuleta! Me and spencer watch for him every week! Spencer looks up his last preformace everyday on U Tube! I just LOVE his voice, I get chills, and I just love the way he giggles. It is like this is a whole new world for him, and he doesn't know what to do with it. I agree that he will win. I am so glad that you are watching AI, it is something I look forward to all year. OH, and I am really excited for you guys to come as well. I know that I am just a small person in your vast FAN CLUB of bloggers in mesa...BUT maybe you could create time so that I could come and chat with you. I would also love to chat with kyle, he is one of my favorite husbands...remember I am going to be your therapist!

February 28, 2008 at 9:10 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Is he not the most tender thing you have ever seen and heard! I'm in love.

February 28, 2008 at 3:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i am in love with little david- i mean, who isn't? however, i don't believe that just because he is winning AI he knows his purpose in life more than anyone else. everyone can find their purpose in different ways. some people can be perfectly content being a stay at home mom, while others want to become doctors and save lives. hope you find out your purpose sometime soon! when you do, write us a blog about it!

February 28, 2008 at 5:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Who says that a stay-at-home mom doesn't save lives? I hate it when people compare "stay-at-home moms" to other "prestigious" occupations; the juxtaposition indicates that a stay-at-home mom is inadequate and inferior to the professional world, when really it's the most imperative job there ever could be.

February 28, 2008 at 9:08 PM  
Blogger kayleen said...

i can't wait for the day when david grows up to realize he prefers boys over girls. that will be a special day.

February 29, 2008 at 10:20 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

well, stay a home moms technically save lives as well, but more on a long-term basis, not on an every day basis. it truly is a different kind of life. both jobs are important, but each fulfill "one's purpose" in different ways. some people aren't content with being a stay at home mom, even though it is important. that's just the way it is.

March 4, 2008 at 4:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

camille, why do you call your husband, sealed to you for time and all eternity, poor kyle?

March 8, 2008 at 7:41 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

oh,sorry camille,i get it now, i saw the old post about what "poor kyle" means.i get the joke. i doubt he considers himself poor to have you in his life, as his wife. you both look very connected to each other in all the pictures you've shared here. the fairbanks men i've met have always been the very strong, and a little silent, types. salt of the earth. like your grandpa.

March 12, 2008 at 7:43 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

oops,that last one was from jeff.

March 12, 2008 at 7:44 AM  

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