About Me — Arthur Keith

Abilene, Ventura, Lincoln, Santa Fe, Skokie, Cedar Rapids, Chicago, and Albuquerque are my homes.

Hello! Arthur Keith is my pen name. I dropped my last name for this purpose. I always wanted Keith to be my first name. I could have made it happen when I moved to a new city (Albuquerque) two years ago. No one knew me here. Would my life be any different if I had been Keith?

I’ve always loved writing and have been told that I’m pretty good at it. I guess I’ll let the audience decide on that. While I became a Medium Member in 2018, I didn’t start writing in earnest until November, nearly four months ago. My stories to date are pretty random and deal with my life and idiosyncrasies. I enjoy research and statistics, so I’d like to explore writing about history, geography, and systemic racism. I want to write stories that educate, inform, and entertain. (I’m trying to figure out how to make geography entertaining…)

When I write, I want to speak the whole truth. I provide as many details as I can remember. Some of my content may be considered unsavory. Skip that paragraph (Mom). I’ll only provide intimate details if they are germane to the story. Even if it’s embarrassing at times, I’ll still include them. Otherwise, you’re not getting the whole picture.

Speaking of pictures, this seems like a good time for another.

I often talk of my dysfunctional family and upbringing, but I don’t think I had it that bad after hearing stories from others. I got tossed around a lot between my mom and dad, grandfather, grandmother, and aunt. I never really minded it. I found it kind of exciting. It produced a sense of adaptability that has always helped me cope with change. Back and forth between Texas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California we would go. This really whet my appetite for travel. I became the navigator after discovering a love for the free road maps found at gas stations.

The only constant in my life was change, but that didn’t mean I liked it. Once in a while, I’d miss the concept of a nuclear family. But that was probably just the television talking.

Mom had the habit of marrying a lot, which made me adaptable to all kinds of people. I can’t even remember some of my step-sibling’s names! But it wasn’t her fault — she has the invisible disease, as do I. It’s now under control for both of us, but I still tend to wig out from time to time. Having to try everything once can be too curious.

During college, where I majored in journalism, I would travel a lot during breaks. I went to London as part of a group educational tour, and that’s where my suffering with wanderlust began. Rather than indulging that urge, after college, I went the “straight” and narrow, married, settled down, and had two wonderful kids.

Then 1998 happened. I got a divorce, started a new career in the airline industry, and came out as a gay man, all within 6 months. With worldwide flight benefits, I was able to travel to many countries. South Africa is still my favorite. Plus, I could check out the guys and finally act on my whims!

The biggest heartache in my life came at the tail end of 2019 with my son's death. He died of suicide. It will always tear me to pieces, wondering if I had known him better, could I have prevented it. On earth, we have to keep going. I see him most often in the night sky among the stars, with his eyes on those who loved him so. Thank goodness I have my lovely daughter, who has equally suffered.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. I’ve lived a lot of life, often doing what I didn’t want to do. Now I am retired and can do what I‘ve wanted to do all along. I’ve waited my whole life for this opportunity. And I do not lack story ideas!

I hope to do some good.

You can contact me directly at [email protected]. My profile page and social media pages are “under construction.”