We live at a brisk pace. Not much time for second guesses. The train is coming down the tracks fast. We must climb aboard or get out of the way. We would sit by the Pool of Reflection…if we had the time. The Old Man noticed that even in retirement, the hours fly by quickly. At times, you must work to enjoy life.

Anxious times. What will happen next? It is our duty to push the boulder up the hill, as our brother Sisyphus taught us. It rolls down the hill, and we begin again.

Education begins the journey; the more the better. Then finding a job…keeping a job…retiring with purpose. All require focus.

Hope reigns in our hearts as we take joy in the journey. The best part about living is being alive. We are on the Grand Stage. We have our role to learn to wear as a comfortable garment. People are watching. Much as our little friends watched us in the sandbox so many springs ago. What are we doing and why are we doing it? Do we share our toys? Do we pull hair? Do we laugh at our friend’s hurts? These questions comprise who we are as old folks. Does the Bully excite us? Do we think the Bully is a strong example of masculinity and John Wayne toughness when he bullies us?

The kids laughed and ran to the playground. Shouts of joy and adventure peeled through the woods.
The Old Man thought they were there for an hour or two. In five minutes, they were gone. Another spring voice whispered in their ears. So it goes with us as we furtively seek the hope that evades us. The long-playing vinyl record is not long enough. Here we are on the last cut. Not long ago, the music seemed to play forever…now not so much.