This seems to be a weekend to think about the past.
Last night I went to a get together at a local bar with many
of the people I used to work with. It was fun to reminisce and laugh about the
people and happenings from twenty years ago. They are still just as funny and
just a little twisted as they were back in the day. Most of them are retired
now and those that aren’t are counting down the days. Good for them. We are all
a little greyer, a little thicker and not one of us would be the first to get down
on our knees to pick up a quarter. Getting back up is a bitch.
We played catch up remembering the stories of kids that are
now adults with kids of their own. There was a fair amount of grandkid talk and
it was interesting to see the eyes light up when we got going. Of course we
also talked about those that hadn’t come to the get together and those that
would never again come to a get together. I have always been a little
uncomfortable talking about death but lately I am less uncomfortable and more interested
to hear that they passed quietly and in peace. You get a lot of old farts
together and it’s either, grandkids, operations or funerals as the subject of
conversation.
Luckily, all of us have retained our dirty minds and foul
mouths. Some things never change.
Tonight, a good friend from high school is celebrating his
65th birthday. Unfortunately I won’t be able to attend as that
damned lottery fairy forgot where I lived…AGAIN! I would love to be back in Scarborough
as the weather is nicer than it is here and there will be a killer party. It’s
hard to believe that John will be 65. It’s hard to believe that I would let a
quarter stay on the ground because my knees ache.
I do remember another party for John about 50 years ago. The
walls were covered in tinfoil with strobe lights reflecting off of them. The
music was incredibly good and loud and relatively new. Those songs wouldn’t be
golden oldies for another fifteen years or so. There was a cake that was
bejewelled with all sorts of candy and quite possibly made with love and herbs.
There was so much smoke hanging in the air that Jack the Ripper would have felt
like he was in London ’s Whitechapel
district. Not surprisingly, everyone was smiling and having a very good time.
We were young and had endless opportunities in front of us.
Not all of our dreams have been realized but for the most
part there is a happiness that has followed all of us through the years. There
isn’t one of the people at that party so many years ago that I have ever regretted
being a part of my life. John has remained steadfastly at the centre and is the
rock that anchors us all.
Happy Birthday John and may life continue to intrigue you
for many years to come.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKg_XJHzKVQ
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