A trip in the “way-back” machine and my new Medicare card offer a new perspective.

It had started out late yesterday with a phone call. It was an unrecognized number which, depending on my mood, I will answer or let go to voicemail. In this case I answered and after a short pause came “Hey old man, do you recognize who this is?” It sounded like a former co-worker, but I had his number saved as a favorite so I was at a loss. As I started to throw guesses the answer came back “It’s Darren.” When he said his last name I was shocked and said so. It had been at least 20-years since we last spoke. With him on the phone was his brother Kelly. When I asked how they got my number, they said they had been looking for product and somehow my name came up during the conversation; curious part is they had no idea I worked there. We agreed to meet the next day.

I have sold automotive paint for most of my adult life which is how I had met the brothers. I didn’t know what to expect but looked forward to seeing them. As I drove to the address provided, it took me through neighborhoods I hadn’t been before, or at least for many years. Initially I was a bit confused because they had a fabrication shop and worked on vehicles and equipment and my drive was taking me through some very nice high-end properties. I wondered how these two different lifestyles could coexist-until I approached the address. Sandwiched between a development in the back and nice homes on either side was a large yard with a big blue metal building surrounded by vehicles and equipment in various states of disrepair. It was also populated with other buildings, including a boarded-up house. The only entrance with a locked gate with a “No Trespassing” sign clearly posted; I scanned the yard for a likely pack of junk-yard dogs as I called the number.

I was greeted by the two brothers with a hand-shake that felt like a vice. As we walked towards the blue building we were trying to remember our last meeting. My original guess had been twenty odd years or so but their memory was much clearer-1997, thirty-two years! As I entered their shop I started surveying the contents; no vehicle newer than 1967, all benches and workstations were hand fabricated and the tools were new to that period including spray-guns and welders. Their preference in liquid consumables, while recent, were rooted in that era as well. The conversation lasted almost two hours and even though it drifted back and forth between now and then, I could see their preference was the past tense.

The visit concluded with a tour of their yard and a brief history lesson on rust and future projects. I could only imagine the relationship they had with their neighbors. The fence was actually more of an expensive vinyl wall in a dark caramel color that separated the expensive estates on one side and their junk yard on the other. It was clear the brothers were happy to occupy a time and place where they were young and the world was filled with possibilities. We will stay in touch primarily because they will be potential customers. Truthfully, as nice as is was to catch-up with them I don’t want to “live” in that world.

The rest of the afternoon my mind wandered through the journey I had just taken. Most memories brought a smile to my face and a few made me laugh-some tear-up. The last several months have been challenging for me. Facing sixty-five and what it means has been far more emotional than I would have ever imagined and the experience today reminded me of an enjoyable time in my past life and the people that occupied it. More importantly though, It reminds me to cherish the present and all it offers.

In the mail today was a letter from the Social Security Dept. and in it, no surprise, it contained my new Medicare card. After my visit today I’m ok with the fact I am 65 and happy I can write about it in the present tense. It would be terribly boring if the only things you could look forward too had already happened.