CARLTON FLETCHER: The highs and lows of an unexceptional life

Hey, 19, that’s Aretha Franklin. She don’t remember the Queen of Soul. Hard times befalling the soul survivors; she thinks I’m crazy, but I’m just growing old.

— Steely Dan

For the overwhelming majority of us, there comes a time when we give in to the realities, the inevitabilities, of life. We realize, sometimes with a sudden clarity that is frightening, that we’re not going to be one of life’s chosen ones.

We’re not going to be rich and famous and do things that will make us media, or even social media, darlings, a goal that few of us would admit having to anyone but ourselves, but we secretly aspire to anyway.

I admitted to myself not long after I graduated high school that I wasn’t going to play professional baseball. And, if I’m being honest, throughout all the ups and downs of living out a life, I only relatively recently admitted to myself that I was not going to write the great American novel.

And even as I looked back on it and realized I’d done some pretty cool things over my years, I resigned myself to the fact that I’ve lived a pretty unexceptional life. Oh, sure, there were highs that became precious and lasting memories, and there were lows that left me pondering the futility of existence.

But, leaning on the words of John Denver while contemplating my years of living, I realize “it’s been a good life all-in-all” and I know I have a lot to be thankful for. As do we all.

I’ve found one of life’s Holy Grails late in this life – true love – and I’ve enjoyed, odd as it may seem, the best years of my life in the last few. I have children I adore and grandchildren who are a constant source of joy. That balances out a whole lot of life’s woes.

I was granted early-on a love for music, and while I can barely play a record player – my one attempt at learning to play music resulted in an embarrassing showcase at Amy Blackmarr’s house when I was gaga in love with her and I came away from that experience with only the finger-fret configuration for a D note in Creedence’s “Bad Moon Rising” and a broken heart – but over the years I have been allowed to see live amazing performances by some of the greatest musical artists ever.

I spent an unforgettable weekend – with son Steve, a life-altering trip – at Woodstock ‘99, went to the ‘23 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Barclays Center in New York with Tara, and we were both overwhelmingly overjoyed when Jimmy Page made a surprise appearance. I experienced Ozzfest, Lollapalooza (before it settled in Chicago), several Music Midtowns, Wanees and Springfests, Bigger Day Out, ‘Bama Jam.

I saw live performances by Led Zeppelin, McCartney (twice!), Elton John (several times), Pearl Jam, the Eagles, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Eminem, Metallica, Jethro Tull, the Allman Bros. (lots), Bob Dylan, the Stones, Widespread Panic, Dolly Parton, Skynyrd, Buddy Guy, Bob Seger, George Jones, Kiss, Kenny Chesney, Eric Clapton, the Who, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Young … hundreds more.

I’ve had my life’s work – this thing I keep doing because it’s ingrained in me and I love it fiercely – recognized with awards, and, most importantly, I’ve had people tell me something I’ve written has touched their lives in positive ways.

I’ve met and shared time with lots of celebrity-type people, although the most incredible people I’ve met over the years are the “regular folks,” people I’ve admired, respected and cared for because they are very real. I guess that’s the true measure of a life that unfolds in a mostly non-spectacular fashion: You meet people along the way whose impact makes you a better person, or at least leavers you aspiring to be.

So, no, I’m probably not going to do anything amazing in however much time I have left in this world (although an OK American Novel is not completely off the table). And when I’m gone, I’ll only be remembered (at least fondly) by a small handful of people. But I’m here squeezing the life out my existence – skydiving, helicopter riding, parasailing (just last week!), swimming with dolphins, interviewing celebrities and heads of state, whitewater rafting, ghost-hunting, confronting angry protesters, eating frightening food, daring to say hello to people who hate me because of how I look.

I’ve decided in my heart that it’s OK to live an unexceptional life. The idea, though, is to live it.

Email Carlton Fletcher at carlton.fletcher@albanyherald.com.