Getting Old Isn't So Bad But It Sure Does Suck

On the nights the Univ. of Iowa or Iowa State play basketball my long time grade school friend and I will text each other on the games in progress. These texts usually are sent with negative messages about crummy play and lousy coaching moves but for me it's enjoyable and a way to connect with someone who has been extremely important in my life since 1956.

I'll call my friend Jude but only because that's name. During high school games when he was a monster tailback we'd call him 'Crazy Man' because he ran with abandon. He was a stallion; like Attila the Hun when he hit the line of scrimmage.

Jude's had some worrisome health problems lately. This is so difficult for me to believe that this West Point grad has come to this point. I'll always remember him as being a 17 year old Adonis. Guess what? Yours truly isn't exactly Mr. Super Stud. Someday's it a struggle falling out of bed. No wait! Falling out isn't the problem. Sitting up and lifting myself out of bed is an accomplishment.

While taking Charlie out this morning in the field behind our condo I, too, began reflecting on days gone bye. Dublin, Ohio is a long way and a long time from Boone, Iowa during the Eisenhower years. If you happen to be around my age there's no explanation necessary.

Sympathy on you part isn't necessary for me when it comes to health or lack thereof. Lord knows I've had my share. It isn't necessary that I go into the details but some days it can be more than one desires.

Like Jude I played high school football, basketball and baseball. In college it was basketball and baseball. In 1988 our nun principal forced me to teach a Phy. Ed. class. I'd throw out the balls and run the gym for 45 minutes non-stop. That was only thirty-three years ago. What the hell happened?

Maybe it's a fact of life that those of us in the 'check out generation' are supposed to reflect. Unfortunately, these reflections, for me anyway, concern the looking back on the stupid things I did in life. I mean, who sits around and says, "Gosh, I remember that time I was so nice to a person?" No, it's usually, "God Almighty, I cringe at the time I did( fill-in-the-blank). How could I have been so stupid?"

As Charlie and I were finishing our stroll it crossed my mind I'd once read an article about people who started their careers after they were seventy; people like Grandma Moses. All it takes is a little motivation and a bit of luck.  

What do I next look forward to? Well, Iowa State plays Kansas in basketball tonight. If they win I'll know that the world is coming to an end but still I've got Jude to fall back on.