Ode to Being 50! (My life story in 400 words or less!) by Larry D. Wright

First birth happened in Alabama, in the late 40’s...found out much later that made me a Baby Boomer. Both parents survived the Great Depression and WWII ... had a simple goal: determined that my older sister and I would not have to endure the same hardships they experienced. Goal accomplished...we had a good life. Dad drove trains for a living...mom mostly stayed home...good childhood memories, no complaints, no horror stories. Born the second time in the 50’s, an experience that allowed me to discover my destiny; graduated from high school...Vietnam was calling, it was the 60’s...went to Montgomery and flunked my draft physical (migraine headaches...a family thing); the decade became known as a time of rebellion on the college campus, dope, and easy sex. Crosby of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young said, "Anybody who says he clearly remembers the 60’s obviously wasn’t there." I disagree. I do remember the 60’s and they were some of the best times of my life. Attended a private college...didn’t go to Woodstock; married the perfect person for me in the 70’s, moved to Texas for graduate school; moved back to Alabama to become a pastor; started having kids...#1, #2, #3...all girls; trained my first Lab; started running...lost weight; discovered the joy of writing. Two awesome experiences changed me: Dothan...I Have Been In His Presence-He Is Lord and Suzy...For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain; had an article published in Home Life Magazine.

Moved to another church; bought my first home; stopped running, played more golf...gained weight; became an adjunct professor at a local college; bought my first computer...learned to surf the World Wide Web; celebrated 25 years of a very good marriage; daughter #1 graduated from college, #2 graduated from high school; several more things published.

Woke up one morning in 1997...I was 50! Preached 32 years, pastored 23 years...3,450 sermons in two churches...1,500 sermons in 300 revivals over 25 states; 163 funerals...138 weddings. Written over 650,000 words under deadline.