Nifty fifty

I attended the 50th birthday party of an old highschool pal of mine last night.  When I received the invitation  I found myself doing a bit of a double take.  50! Never mind the fact that I am only two years away from that milestone, it just seemed like big deal all of a sudden.  My friend, someone I had gone to highschool with, played football with, ran track with, talked about girls with...was 50.  I almost heard an audible click as life shifted into overdrive on it's ever quickening race to the finish. 
Something very wonderful happened though when I arrived.  I saw people, including the birthday boy, who I hadn't seen in many years...but it was like no time had elapsed at all.  We could've picked up in mid sentence from where we'd left off.  On the drive home I commented to my wife about how comfortable and comforting it is to now and then be among the people you grew up with.  It's like you all share the same touchstones, speak the same language.  Maybe it's something as simple as realizing you're not the only one getting older. In any event it was a wonderful night and this morning I awoke feeling loved and happy.

Comments

[betty]

I grew up in an eccentric neighbourhood where we were very close to being Hillbillies. Those day's older kids looked after the younger ones. I was very brave in putting my name out there on Facebook and have been blessed with finding an old friend who I lost for more than 30 years. We've been on MSN for hours, we met last summer and now we're going to introduce our families (not sure how that will work out) It's all we have as we've both lost our parents and siblings and we're both glad to have found each other.

[Carol Slaughter]

I know what you mean Neil. The success of Facebook and Classmates made this clear to me when friends I'd lost touch with reappeared to send me notes and comments. You just feel right with the world when you hear about them and their families. Like it or not, they had a part in molding who and what you are, so enjoy the moments and keep smiling.