One of the weirdest things about growing older is that even though in our minds and in our conversations we’re young, there are tell-tale signs that we’re not that young any more (at least chronologically).
Case in point: My friend David, who lives in Kansas and has two really cool, now really grown up daughters. I remember when they were very young, like 3 and 6, and they’d visit our campus office when David had to teach and couldn’t find a sitter. Now his daughters are either in college or graduating from high school this year. It took me a moment to realize just how many years passed between the last time we saw each other and now.
I think the last time David and I spoke, he was going to be a contestant of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” and he asked me if I could be a lifeline. He didn’t need me that day, although I hung around the house to wait for his call, and I’m not sure how he did — obviously, though, he didn’t win a million bucks.
Then the weirdness that is adulthood took over both of our lives. Until recently, that is. We chat online now and again, catching up. Visiting as only people these days can in a virtual world.
David still makes me laugh, and still shares pretty much the same political views and I think probably drinks just about the same amount of coffee that we did in graduate school. He also knows what I like to read, and he’s given me a few titles to consider in my spare moments. I still value his opinion on things, although I’m still wondering why he liked Bloodrock’s “DOA” as a kid — but, as he said, death seems a whole lot more distant when we’re 10 compared to when we’re turning 50.
He’s also done a hell of a job raising his kids. They’re funny and smart.
Sort of like what my friend from college, Carol, has done with her two boys. Last time I saw Carol, her first born was 6 months old, bouncing around in a Jolly Jumper in her living room outside of Cincinnati. Now he’s going to be 16, and her younger son is going to be 12. She’s moved a few times for her job, and the three of them returned recently to Cincinnati.
When I speak with Carol and David, I realize just how much life we all deal with everyday. Parents’ deaths, children growing, careers that ebb and flow, relationships and marriages that crumble, how we weave in and out of each others’ lives. We pick up where we left off and travel down the road for a while together.
Sometimes we just don’t realize that life really is good — especially when we’re catching up with old friends. I’m glad they’re both in my life again. It’s nice to be around people who “get you” even when you think no one does.
And even though we’re all turning 50 this year, we still rock out like we’re 20 (without something as stupid as Guitar Hero!). May we have many more of those moments ahead….
