by Rick Scott – (an old friend from Chebanse, Illinois)

When I retired from a lifetime of employment at the same facility, I started as “the kid” and retired as the “old man.” After 43 years, I had become one of those permanent fixtures that everybody knew, with varying degrees of respect.

Retirement began with a move to a retirement community in Florida. Shortly thereafter, I became the kid again. My wife and I were the youngsters of the neighborhood, the kids. We were in our 60s, and everyone around us was in their 70s, 80s, and beyond. A dear friend from our hometown area, who had also moved here, gave us a ceramic frog. Told us we had now become “croakers.”

Puzzled by this we had to ask. She explained we were “cloggers” when we visited. Clogging up traffic, golf, and many other things. Now as residents we were “croakers.” We are here till we croak.

Recently we suddenly lost this dear friend. Same age as us, and suddenly gone. Yes, one of the “kids” was gone. Out of all the friends and neighbors, all of whom are a bit older, we lost a kid. Our friend was so right with her frog scenario, but sure did not expect it to be so soon.

Her death is a wake-up call for all of us. A real kick in the gut that hurt deeply. When we traveled back to our home area to attend the services, there was another wake-up call waiting for us. We got to see many friends from our past.

People we had not seen for years and even decades. Guess what? … They had all gotten old. Much less hair, a lot grayer. Walking with canes. Way over weight or way too thin. The lines on our faces had become canyons. We all looked old.

Yup all of us. With a simple trip back to our past, we were suddenly transformed back to being old. We were no longer the “kids.” The next generation, our children, reflected what we remembered of our appearance. They are now truly the “kids.”

Despite our best efforts we can not stop time. We need to accept the challenges of growing old, and realize our days are numbered. We must make the best of what we have, and hold close those dear friends around us, as we all may be gone too soon.

Rest in peace my friend. We love you and miss you.

NOTE FROM ALAN – He is talking about my wife’s cousin.