The Beat Goes On: Watching Life Move Forward from Sweatpants

What have I been Doing?

When I got back from my last deployment, I thought I’d slide right back into writing. Instead, I found myself staring at a pile of claims that made me question everything: Am I really cut out for this? Handling these one-off nightmares over my head felt impossible. What am I even supposed to do now?

Then I remembered. I’ve written tens of thousands of claims, dealt with countless customers, ordered millions of parts. I’ve been in the thick of this before. I don’t suck. I just have to figure out all these new twists and complications—things nobody could have trained me for. These claims are wild, messy, and sometimes absurd, but they’re also mine to solve.

Lately, I’ve been knee‑deep in chaos: files a year and a half old, supplements stacked as high as a car hood, denials that should have been approvals. Every single one screamed for a red pen—and maybe an exorcism.

Working from Home

For the last 10 days, I’ve been handling it all from home—a completely foreign concept. No airports. No rental cars. No shop floors. Just me, my laptop, and the same chair slowly reshaping my backside.

There were some bright spots, though. I got to see Jamie every day, scratch Titus’s head every night, and walk him on his patented “sniffy walks.” But even so, it begged the question: am I working… or just very busy being unemployed? (Minus the daytime TV, plus a torrent of emails.)

While I Was Sitting Still, Time Wasn’t



Megan—my stepdaughter—and Austin—her new husband, who’s lived with us so long he might as well be sibling number Six—got married this week. The ceremony was small and intimate, just Jamie and I, her father and stepmother, witnessing Megan and Austin completely in love with each other, taking their next steps and starting a new family. They’re also expecting a baby we’ve nicknamed Pretzel.

Alida is heading back to Wilmington to continue being our “little miss science award” marine biology student. Hannah is embarking on her final year studying business at community college. Kayla is gearing up to launch a new business venture—if only the company handling her paperwork can get its act together. And Jake? He’s elbow‑deep in plans for his Eagle Scout project.

The Way It Goes

Life moves in giant leaps and soft turns all at once. One moment, you’re on the floor building Lego towers. The next, you’re watching those same kids build lives of their own.

And as I sit back and watch it all, I’m reminded of Sonny & Cher’s classic song, The Beat Goes On—a simple but perfect reminder of how time marches forward, no matter what.

“Grandmas sit in chairs and reminisce
Boys keep chasing girls to get a kiss
The cars keep going faster all the time
Bums still cry, ‘Hey buddy, have you got a dime?’”

Life moves fast. Kids grow up, careers twist and turn, and every day brings its own chaos and joy. And yet, somehow, we keep showing up—holding each other’s hands, cheering each other on, and quietly witnessing the beauty of the ordinary.

I’m grateful for small moments and big milestones, for love that holds steady through change, and for the reminder that, no matter what, the beat goes on.

Here’s to family, here’s to love, and here’s to the next chapter—whatever it may bring.


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