Whenever I drive by Academy Square on University Avenue, I'm reminded that 20 years ago I worked at the office of space utilization at Brigham Young University. My boss at the time recommended the buildings that encompassed the original Brigham Young Academy were not worth renovating.
A hue and cry went out to preserve Academy Square, and while it has not been torn down, neither has it changed one iota over the years.It reminds me of my life, which didn't seem so bad until I read an article about Henry Winkler that highlighted his career achievements. It got me to thinking.
Not that Fonzie's career and mine have anything in common, but the time frame is the same.
About the time Henry Winkler launched his career in The Lords of Flatbush, I got married. When he created the role of Fonzie for "Happy Days," I had my first baby. By the time he finished "Happy Days," I'd had another child.
By the time he'd made his directorial debut, I'd had my third child. Now, when he's starring in a new television sitcom, I'm still answering questions like, "Mom, is Big Bird a boy or a girl?" Answer: "I don't know." Which goes to show how well I'm doing.
I realize I should find some solace in the fact that I am rearing three wonderful children.
Back when I was in college, I had important plans for my life. Of course, I can't remember what they were any more, but somehow I think they entailed more than making pancakes from scratch and being able to coach piano lessons and vacuum at the same time.
Oprah Winfrey says we should each write our own epitaph so that it becomes self-fulfilling. I'd like mine to say something like, "She came, she saw, she conquered."
However, if everything were to end right now, my epitaph would read, "She came, she saw, she cleaned, had three children, and is finally getting some rest."
Well, Academy Square is still standing and is probably in worse shape than I am, and people think it's worth renovating. Perhaps I'll start on my own restoration. It's a new year, and I think it'll be a good one.
Who knows, maybe I'll even find out if Big Bird is a girl or a boy.