On the Way Out
Vol. 3
Part 6
More ramblings this morning...a surprise visit from an old friend at the coffee shop...it's a new day: Up and at 'em...
Life can be hard no question about it.
If you are a senior citizen, a vulnerable adult who has faced nothing but slings and arrows for what has seemed like a lifetime, if this strikes home, please do not give up.
Never give up. Look for the sunrise over the mountain tops and keep looking for that path ahead that’ll bring you a moment of joy, find a new avenue to express yourself and go for it. You’d be surprised what may be just beyond the curve — an adventure that has never occurred to you before.
Yes, it’s hard to take that giant step, but keep on plugging and keep on dancin’ through life. Life in the 70s and 80s (I’m talking age here)is no picnic at times. Heck, there haven’t been many picnics in the past two years for anybody as the world battles a deadly virus — deadly to some, mind you, now eclipsing 700,000 beautiful human beings in the United States alone.
Not all! Yes, not all! A majority of the population is still out there battling their way through life, but for those who have faced the virus head-on and survived…well hats off to you and your loved ones who still have you around and care about your well-being.
I will continue to focus on those beautiful human beings out there who are closing in on that final journey. My followers will soon discover exactly where I’m coming from. This media Senior Center is like a reading room for the elderly…and the not-so-elderly, who are still battling with Uncle Sam, still receiving money earned from social security — money earned with hard work and fortitude. You earned every bit of your retirement. Sad to say there are many out there without such a thing. That’s a story for another day.
A few articles ago, I discussed a vibrant, well-spoken gentleman in his mid to late 80s. We have run into each other at the coffee shop for many years. I’ve sat and listened to the very smart fella clue me in on how he made his way through life…how he drove himself, back in the day, to a very successful career in real estate. How he met his partner in life, his wife, of over 40 years. At a different meeting, he explained his tour of duty in the service…what he learned overseas…his experiences as a young man. Other things, like how to get rid of rodents on his property, how to fix a fuel pump…you name it, we discussed it.
A few months ago, his wife passed away. They had made arrangements many moons ago. A vehicle pulled up in his driveway. Her remains: motored to Phoenix. He would never see her again.
The gentleman showed up at the coffee shop later that afternoon. He ran into me and explained his plight.
A month later, I would see him again. He grabbed a donut and coffee and sat with me at the circular table. He said he had worked things out, had cleaned out his motorhome, and was heading to the north country…maybe Montana.
We said our goodbyes.
A few weeks passed and I was back at the coffee shop, writing away, trying to pull my own life together. That’s a whole other story. You’d almost have to read my book, The Loner, to get even a glimpse of my long, strange and weary path.
But this isn’t about me…I’m just an old guy pecking away at my laptop — who suddenly, has a lot to say.
Back to my coffee-house friend.
He sat down. I asked him: “I thought you were heading for Montana?”
He responded: “It’s been tough, Dan. Just too much going on. It’s been tough.”
My friend had to leave. He had a phone call. He said he would see me soon and asked me on his way out. “Could you fix my phone before I leave? I can’t find your stuff?”
I fixed his phone.
I hate to lose a friend and especially a coffee-shop buddy. They are hard to come by these days.
Bottom line: When I see him again, I’ll sit there and listen. Then I’ll tell him how intelligent he is at his age. He has it going. Please keep on going. Find that new path and realize you are not alone…many have gone through what you are now experiencing. Search for another avenue, a strange one maybe…but carry on. I’ll refresh his memory and let him know of all the life experiences he has relayed to me, during our many, many meetings…and I’ll say to him: “You are still standing…still able to chart a new course — and see what is beyond that curve ahead. You have it going. Keep going!”
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