Memories From Yesteryear

Last Sunday I enjoyed the rare treat of attending the 85th birthday party of a dear friend I’ve known for more than sixty years. There were about three hundred guests, and, by total chance, I sat next to Burt, a man I had met in high school debate, many years ago.

We had much to reminisce about. It isn’t often I see friends, or even acquaintances, from my youth. (Although I am now in touch with Mike, my high school debate partner, and plan to visit him soon.)

As an eighty-five-year-old, I’m certainly interested in longevity.  My doctor says that genetics are important, which bodes well for me. My grandfather lived to be 94, and my father survived to 104. I’ve also made many life-style changes to improve my health, and my weight is more than sixty pounds below its high point of 268 about six years ago.

I have a note on my calendar to attend the high school graduation of my four-year-old granddaughter Delilah. That will be in the year 2040 and I will be 100. (As an aside – never ask Siri how long you might survive. Yesterday I posed the question, and the answer was a discouraging 5.1 years, so I don’t think I’ll ask again anytime soon.)

Since the length of anyone’s lifetime is unknown until the end, part of the fun is enjoying each day. My dad said that he didn’t count the years, he focused on the days.

So happy Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day!

I’m going to take the rest of today off.

Alan