Today I turn 61 years old. While my parents were alive, I always took this day to thank them for bringing me into this world. While I still thank them up there in heaven for doing that, I realize that there are a lot of people out there I need to thank who have helped me become the person I am. Whether or not they wish to credit is another issue, I understand.
I have been blessed to be surrounded by people I consider friends. These people have made me who I am as of this moment. I want to thank them for that gift. Because when I don’t like what I see in the mirror, I have to trust that my friends will see the real me.
Some friends I have never physically met, but have become friends through the online Mr. Marty Show, the pandemic-created online arts show that chugs along into its fifth year. How wonderful that I can have friends all the way on the other side of the world, who actively engage with me creatively. I am grateful for their friendship and the friendship of all the other people who participate in our online artistic experiment.
I have friends from my music with Switchback, who have become friends through the shared experiences of gigs and traveling on the road. Some of these people started out as fans and now are friends of mine. I look forward to seeing them and knowing what is going on in their lives. It is the icing on the cake to be able to have musical shows and even tour overseas with them on one of our group tours with Switchback.
I have my family too. Family by blood and by choice. The blood relatives are always interesting because even though we have our parents and the shared experience of growing up, we may not necessarily have the friendship. Sort of a reverse of what usually happens in people’s lives. But the non-blood family are people that through the years have become more than just great friends. I count on them as partners on our mutual spiritual journey through this life. These are the family members that I can talk to about the deeper meaning of being here and serving. I am so grateful for their love and acceptance of who I am. I also thank them for their encouragement to continue in my artistic journey and not weaken. My best friend is such a brother. He and I see each other perhaps once a year, but somehow, we have kept our friendship vibrant and know what is going on in our lives with some detail. That friend I want to thank because I know if I asked for any sort of help, that person would be right there.
I have 12 other brothers in New Warrior Chicago as well. Over 30 years and running I meet weekly with these men who have helped me live a better life in integrity. They know my weaknesses and strengths and have helped me stay on course with my life mission. Finally, I want to thank my daughter and wife for the amazing patience they have with me for being who I am, failings and all. They are the ones that have to live with me daily on this odd ride on this planet. They have to listen daily to my bad puns, jokes and occasional snoring. As I begin another circle around the sun, I am filled with gratitude for the miracle of being alive, being able to live in the country that I am living in, to practice my faith and perform my music. None of this would be possible if I wasn’t surrounded by such love of my friends and family.
READ MARTIN'S OTHER BLOG HERE.