What "Generations" means to me

Hi all,
These past four years that I've been part of the Aim High community, my attitude and goals have changed quite a bit.
I joined my first martial arts class over 30 years ago, when I was about 14 years old. My main reasons were that a couple of my friends were taking karate, I liked Bruce Lee movies, and I wanted to be able to defend myself. Also, my dad had earned his brown belt in Tae Kwon Do and I had always thought that was cool.
But after about 2 years of training, I dropped out of the classes. I always figured I'd re-join someday and finish what I'd started -- but college, then jobs, then family priorities caused me to put off doing that. And sometimes I had regrets, but they faded away after a while.
 When I first came in to AHAMA with my son, Brandon, he was the one interested in taking classes and I was just going to watch. But when CGN Cyrus greeted us at the front desk, he said, "You're welcome to join in," and all of a sudden I was out on the mat.
For the first six weeks or so, I was mostly enjoying the father-son time with Brandon and that he was into the classes. Then I started to realize that I was also getting excited about earning stripes toward my orange belt, and it was me who couldn't wait to drive over to AHAMA.
I had really looked forward to both of us earning our black belts together. But then Brandon decided he was more interested in other activities, and he stopped coming to class. By that point, I knew the goal of earning my black belt was really mine and I didn't want to stop until I reached it.
Being one of the few adults in our poom belt class, I feel an added responsibility—but also that I have a great opportunity and privilege—to show respect, encouragement, and good judgment as I learn alongside many young people at AHAMA. I'm almost two generations older than some of the people in this class! Yet I'm learning from their example too--about being joyful and positive and energetic. Living in the moment and cheering each other on.
I've also been extremely blessed to work with outstanding instructors -- I'm pretty sure that every single person on the AHAMA staff has given me helpful advice and encouragement at some point in my journey, and I respect you all so much!
Moving along my path toward black belt has helped me grow and mature—in a different sense than most of my classmates, probably, because of the stage of life that I'm at, but I feel it every time I step onto the mat at AHAMA.
I'm honored and humbled to be in this "Generations" black belt testing group, and I'm so grateful to have you all along with me on the journey.
Thank you!
- Michael