"Murphy's Law or Myth" by Thomas Gery

Anything that can go wrong, it will go wrong.

The police reported it an accident; with anguish I added the word stupid.

Thomas Gery, a common man with uncommon experiences lives in Berks County, Pennsylvania. He served in the U.S. Army with duty in Vietnam. As a social worker he helped children, youth, and adults in a variety of practice venues and situations throughout a work life of 40 years. Married with two adult children and three grandchildren, he is currently writing his life’s story to provide answers to questions his kids will never ask. His first essay appeared in Personal Story Publishing Project—Lost & Found, 2023. 

Author’s Talk

Tom Gery

I write for my family. This account of my past is comparable to a nautical chart showing rocks, shoals and deep water. Their seeing the course may assist navigation through life; it’s an unflattering chapter of my life’s story  

Sometimes things do not turn out as expected: unintended consequences upend the best of intentions; poor choices become awful outcomes; foolishness yields undesirable results. We humans can excuse, rationalize or mythologize to understand our world or to accept the inexplicable. Murphy’s Law, “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong” is cited by people as explanation.  The essay captures twists and turns through years of journey; simple mistakes mixed with tragedy.  

Some consider distress or misery bad luck overlooking the true causes. With time and an honest appraisal I realize some undesired consequences, whether harmless embarrassments or calamitous events, were bad for a reason.  Introspection can make a good story. A famous actor playing the lead in a well known movie had a great line. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. I too have acted. “Stupid is as stupid does.” If my chart is read rocks will be avoided.—Thomas Gery