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TAMPA BAY • FEBRUARY 23-24 2026

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What Happened and Why?

If I had the accumulated knowledge of the ages within me, I could answer this lifelong question. Thus making me out to be somebody important, but then I would also be further from the question.

As I have not the knowledge, I can only wonder and ask the same question as so many before me have.

What happened to the little boys and girls, who lived life each day full of excitement and wonder, who lived in a world shrouded by mystery and intrigue? Where around each corner lay a new and fantastic journey, unencumbered by the weight (s) of the world.

A world where brooms were fast, thundering steeds and little dolls were the sister, aunt, or girlfriend only seen in dreams.

And rocks were bulldozers, pushing great piles of sand, just delivered by the dump truck, found lying at the edge of the woods; and the empty spot across from you on the blanket seen by others, that you talked with for hours, was the bestest friend, princes, or queen invited for tea.

Where have these children gone? Were they sucked up by eternal ambitions and never-ending hours of spinning their wheels? Thinking they’re getting ahead; having forgotten how wonderful and exciting life used to be?

Have they forgotten the days of enchantment as they traveled along a wooded path with their dog picking up souvenirs? Or those spent racing downhill in their Red Ryder, steering with all their might; or playing house with their girlfriends all laid out before them, in their fashionable outfits and day dresses made with love by their mothers?

Why did we change? Why did we leave the magic behind? Will we ever revisit it, I wonder.

Mike Sutton
Mike Suttonhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/703649711176635
Greetings from M L. Sutton, a born-again Christian and retired citizen of the Great Lakes State of Michigan, currently living in the Northern Michigan town of Cheboygan. A father of two wonderful adult children who also live in Cheboygan, and a husband of forty-three years, before losing my wife to a health-related illness in May 2020.  I began writing in a journal in April 2020, with the words and feelings that I had wished to express to my wife but could not because of pandemic guidelines and her illness. After her demise, I continued to write to vent the hurt, confusion, frustration, and sorrow associated with her absence in my life, culminating with the release of my first book, “To Lose a Soul Mate,” which was published by Xulon Press, and released to the public on September 25, 2022. In losing my wife, God had given me a gift, one that I could share with others, the gift of writing what my heart felt and my eyes saw, as though looking through the windows of my heart. This new gift allowed me the opportunity to see through the pain and grief of losing my wife and to recognize the beauty that had always been around me, but I had not taken the time to fully enjoy, or be thankful for it. I now write for enjoyment, as it gives me a sense of peace and comfort, sharing my material as a Featured Contributor on, BIZCATALYST 360°, The Writers Café, and Dirt Road Storytelling, both on Facebook, while also working on a second book, a collection of writings from both heart and soul; which I plan to have published at a later date.  Before that, I was enjoying retirement with my wife, after having worked for nearly 31 years for the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources, as a Park Manager in various parks throughout the state of Michigan. 

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CONVERSATIONS

  1. Mike Sutton – you have a wonderful testimony and thank you for the many ‘interesting questions’ you asked, and each person reading this post will be able to respond from their individual experiences.

    Why did we change?
    Well, change is inevitable and the most prominent change we experience every second of the day is honorable TIME itself. Change shapes us, helps us move on and make progress and most importantly it ensures that ‘life’ stays interesting and exciting. Change will happen anyway.

    Why did we leave the magic behind?
    Nope.. we experienced a different kind of magic then, and at the present moment we each make our own magic and look forward to a new tomorrow full of possibilities and opportunities.

    Will we ever revisit it, I wonder.
    I think it would be impossible to revisit it, but then yes, reminiscing can bring back memories.

    Change is beautiful: “To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh

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