Along the Road Part 2

Response to Mr. A's post by Mr. J

The metaphors spoken by Mr. A. of being along the road and reflecting on life's journey is aptly put. I have been asked, "How do you remember your road so far? Whether just beginning, in the middle or well seasoned there are things that leave a time stamp. Besides the major life changes most of us experience, what are the little or unnoticeable things that have made a lasting impression on your road?"
Being who I am, I cannot simply nod my head and think about all the events and passages big or small that make up the road of life. At least not at first. Rather annoyingly, I have to ask myself, what road, what journey? Should I think of life as being a road or a journey? I am well aware that as a pseudo philosopher/nurse, I am ill suited, but all too wanting, to respond to such questions with such Socratic zeal (asking a question with a question- they killed him because he was so annoying). But what can I do, I'm a big fan of the Socratic method.
I have to wonder if life is a journey? And, what is a journey? By definition, a journey is to go from one place to another. So, am I going anywhere? The obvious answer is yes. I have a beautiful wife, the best son in the world, and another child whose arrival I cannot wait for. I have finished my graduate degree along with a monster of a thesis and am currently trying to publish some work. But, to quote my favorite Spanish author, Unamuno, "Wherefore?" Translated: why does it matter if it's all going to end. In all likelihood we will cease to exist; all our knowledge, art, and genetic code to forever disappear. But enough about that.
If life is a journey, then it means we are going somewhere and because life is not devoid of meaning, it's toward something. But again, wherefore? Mr. A, when I would pose such questions in college, would have no answer. But he would listen, and listen well - the best listener I know. I would never have have guesses that he was part of the answer. Or that my wife would be most of the answer. It would turn out that any time I would ask big questions regarding the purpose of life, life's answer was both simple and complex - and in the little things.
Life has provided me the answer to the question "Wherefore?". The problem I have have is being able to listen to it. For example, my solution to all my vices: listen to my wife. Further meaning in my life comes from knowing that the love of my friends, wife, and children is directing my soul's journey. It is, just like Mr. A says, in doing things like treating my patients. In being with them, I feel the presence of meaning and understanding. My point?
Life is purposely tossing it's answers left and right at me. The only thing life will not do is tell me exactly what is the concrete wherefore. I know that many a religion and it's believers think they have the answer to this question, and well, they do - but it still does not change a darn thing in this world. It does not change the fact that I have continue to try and understand my journey; to listen to the answers until I finally realize all that is.