The art of writing is more than just putting words on a page—it’s about leaving something behind, recording thoughts for future generations, and ensuring that what we believe to be meaningful is not lost to time. For me, writing has never been about ego, fame, or money. It’s about making a difference, about sharing knowledge and wisdom, and ultimately about giving back to a world that has given so much to me.

I often joke with my kids, saying, “The only reason we had you was to have grandchildren.” Now, we all know that’s not true (at least, not entirely), but there’s an underlying truth in the humor—grandparents live for their grandchildren. I wouldn’t trade my five amazing grandkids for anything in the world, nor would I trade my children or their spouses. They are my legacy.

But here’s the reality—I’m 74 years old, and according to today’s life expectancy, I might have another 10 years, give or take. That means I’ll hopefully get to see my grandkids reach their teenage years, maybe their early twenties. But will I live long enough to see them get married? To hold my great-grandchildren in my arms? Maybe, maybe not. But even if I don’t, I want to leave something behind for them, something they can read long after I’m gone, something that shows them who I was, what I believed, and how I tried to make the world a better place.

The Gift of Writing

I wasn’t always a strong writer. My high school English teacher—who still attends reunions and is active on Facebook—probably has no idea the impact she had on me. I wasn’t the best at grammar or spelling, but I had a voice, and over time, I learned how to use it. In banking, I had to write policies, procedures, and reports, and little by little, I got better.

But you know what held me back? Typing.

I never took a typing class, so I’ve spent my life as a hunt-and-peck typist. To this day, I can type faster on my phone than on a keyboard. I always envied those old movie scenes where a writer pounds away at a typewriter, rips the page out, and tosses it in frustration. That was me for years—until technology caught up with my limitations.

Now, I use voice recording apps to dictate my thoughts. I transfer them into a Word document, clean them up, and have my Chief Operating Officer, Krysta give them a final proofread before they go out. This process allows me to write quickly and effectively—because let’s be honest, I love to talk.

Writing for the Next Generation

My goal with Marc’s Musings and On the Mark isn’t just to share opinions—it’s to record history, create meaningful discussions, and leave a legacy of thought and experience. I want my grandchildren (and maybe even great-grandchildren) to have a book filled with my writings, something they can flip through and read a page a day. Maybe one day, they’ll say, “Papa had some good ideas. He saw things the way they really were.”

And it’s not just about my family—I want to make a difference for everyone who reads my work. I want my words to challenge, educate, and inspire.

Am I Making an Impact?

I don’t write to please everyone. I write because I have something to say. But I often wonder—am I making an impact? Do my readers find value in what I share? Do they repeat my thoughts in their own conversations? Do they learn something new?

Just the other day, I wrote about spam and asked people if they knew what SPAM actually came from. Most people didn’t (Monty Python)! They knew it meant junk mail, but they had no clue where the term came from. That tells me something—even in the smallest ways, I’m educating people.

And the best part? I’m learning every day too. The hundreds—maybe even thousands—of comments I receive on my writing mean the world to me. They tell me that I’m making a difference, even if it’s just for one person.

Final Thought: The Purpose of Writing

Writing isn’t just about putting words on paper—it’s about capturing moments, preserving wisdom, and leaving something meaningful behind. It’s about making sure that the people who come after us—our children, grandchildren, and beyond—know who we were, what we stood for, and what we believed in.

So, I’ll keep writing. I’ll keep recording my thoughts. Maybe one day, I’ll have 365 Marc’s Musings and On the Mark articles bound into a book—a daily reading of common sense, experience, and maybe a little wisdom.

And to my readers—thank you. Whether it’s one person or one million, if my words resonate with someone out there, then it’s all been worth it.

—H. Marc Helm