A habit
Our routine
We split things
Divide and share
Half a sandwich
Half a soda
Half a chocolate bar
Half a banana
Separate people
Separate lives
Separate interest
Separate thoughts
Sharing goals
Sharing wins
Sharing losses
Sharing expectations
We enjoy different things
The same things
Two separate minds
Choosing the same life
Our lives are separate
But bound together
When one passes
What happens to half of the banana
It’s all about perspective. Many things can be annoying, but if you look at them differently they can be humorous. The world and people in it are complicated so it’s easy to get annoyed by any number of situations. Just say ‘No’ I’m going to turn this into a funny moment. Look for the humor. It’s out there, just waiting to be noticed.
When you start a job you get training, which is valuable but sometimes it also strips away your common sense. At least that’s what it seems like to the casual observer. Here’s a short story about an encounter I recently had at the deli. As always, I took the opportunity to exaggerate it to make it more interesting.
Next
I was at Schnucks grocery store the other day. I went to the deli while Mimi roamed around the store looking for other items. I stood at the counter and grabbed a number, even though no one else was waiting, because you never know if someone with stealth qualities would sneak up and take a ticket before you.
A butcher, or more accurately a deli guy, walked up. He casually looked around but didn’t speak, so I said. “I have number 5.” He went over to the right to view the ticket counter and said “3”. No response, of course there was no response. . . I was the only one there. He continued his futile plight to find number 3. Speaking louder he said “3.” Again, no response. He tried a third time “3.” Still no response.
Once again he walked back to the ticket counter and tapped it. I thought he’s done with 3. I felt confident that I would be next as anyone could see I was the only one there.
He spoke with authority “4.” No one answered. Was 4 missing also? Again, he said “4.” I waited for someone to miraculously appear before me, but it didn’t happen. A third time 4 was requested with no response. The deli guy moved over to the ticket counter and tapped it. He then looked around and said “f..” when he was interrupted by a lady who seemed to appear out of nowhere. She stood next to me holding a ticket, “I’m 3.”
The deli guy nodded and asked her, “How can I help you?”
I shook my head and wondered, “Where in the God’s green earth did you come from?” My eyes started to water. “Wait! Why are we back at 3? Will he call 4 again?” My head swiveled looking for someone holding ticket 4 but saw no one. I could be in an alternate universe invisible to others. That was my only explanation.
She pulled out her list and proceeded to read, “One pound of smoked ham, shaved, two pounds of mesquite turkey, shaved, two pounds of prime roast beef, thin but not shaved, four slices of horseradish cheddar and two slices of bologna. I’ll wait. Oh! Can I taste the ham and turkey before you cut them?”
My shoulders drooped. I threw my number 5 on the counter and walked away. When I caught up with Mimi, I told her. “I heard deli meat wasn’t good for you. Let’s skip it today.”
About ten minutes later I went to get some sourdough bread which is located next to the deli I heard the deli guy say, “5.” He held up his hand and repeated “5.”
I laughed and turned to walk away when I heard a customer say, “I have 7.” All I could think was “Good luck buddy.”
It’s hard to notice when you’re young, but life moves fast. Just ask an older person about their youth. They will answer as if it was yesterday, because to them that’s what it seems like. After many miles down the road, memories keep things fresh. Youth was long ago, but the visions are of yesterday. Experiences, mistakes, challenges, successes, failures and friends, for me most of all friends.
I am a collector, like many others it’s a way to hold on to the past. It’s not things that I find important, but people and the memories of our experiences. Many people have crossed your path when you’ve lived into your 70’s, some close, some casual, but all important in different ways.
Throughout life friends and acquaintances have had an impact on our life leaving us with lessons learned, good and bad, but valuable none the less. The most valuable for me is that life without friends is hollow. Everyone needs friends, even Tom Hanks character in Cast Away chose a volleyball and called him Wilson. I keep the memories of my friends close to my heart.
Some friends you see often, some rarely, and others are just a faint memory, but all have impacted your life. People may call me lucky because I have friends from school, work, hobbies and clubs. Frequency of our visits varies, but each time we meet conversation picks up where we left off, almost like no time has past. Life changes but friendships anchor us to the past.
Other people may disagree saying they’ve had enough of others and would prefer living on a island away from everyone. All I can say is ‘you do you’ but for me I like the interaction with people. Of all the things I’ve collected over the years the most valuable are people and the stories they share. Sure, it’s a nice feeling to buy a new car, gadget or a fancy collectible but the joy is fleeting compared to the friends you’ve collected over the years. “Just Saying . . .”
As we grow from a young child to an adult, we have many experiences. These are teaching moments which help develop our character and habits. Sometimes the methods used are softened because to some the old method seemed harsh. But my question is have we gone too far. Isn’t it important that kids need to learn some of the harshness of life in order to navigate through it. A person who has experienced difficulty has a toughness that will help them be better equipped to deal with life problems and come out stronger on the other side.
My wife, Mimi, has always said the worst decision made was giving everyone a trophy. A participation trophy for just showing up, not for the effort you make. In real life there are no trophy’s for participation. You’re hired for a job or task and you’re expected to show up and contribute. That’s the way it is, but expectations of younger people judge this as unfair. They want acknowledgement for participating, because that’s what we taught them. All through their life they received a trophy for being on the team without any consideration for the effort they put in, so why would they expect anything different when they join the real world.
We have taught our kids to be entitled by giving them a trophy without making the effort. This started a long time ago, but everyone doesn’t deserve a trophy The first participation trophy started in 1922 but it didn’t become a standard until the 1990’s. So in the 90’s we started handing out trophy’s to every kid who was on a sports team not matter what. Our job is to teach our kids to strive for their best effort, even if they aren’t the most talented. When everyone gets a trophy this becomes much more difficult.
Do your kid a favor and reward them for their effort, but know that a reward requires effort not just participation. “Just Saying . . .”
After I sat at the counter and looked at the menu, I turned to the guy parked next to me and said, “I’m Roger.” I held out my hand. “I always eat a good breakfast to start the day out right.”
Charlie took my hand. “No question there. I look forward to a hearty breakfast of bacon, eggs, hash browns with a little hot sauce and a steaming cup of coffee.”
The waitress leaned in. “Good choice, Charlie. How do you want your eggs?”
“Sunny side up and ready to run.”
She nodded at me. “What about you, same?"
“That’s good but I prefer steak and eggs, baked potato with butter and horseradish sauce and a shrimp cocktail. Oh yeah! Hold the eggs.” I licked my lips. “And how about a breakfast beer?”
Shirley looked puzzled but shrugged. “How do you want your steak cooked?”
“With band-aids.” I set the menu down.. “Beer first please, with a glass.”
“You’re the boss.”
Charlie said. “That sounds like dinner and what’s a breakfast beer?”
“It’s a beer poured into a glass.” I smiled. “What time do you have?”
“I’ve got 8:15 a.m.”
“So, it’s breakfast!” I laughed. “Did you ever have breakfast for dinner?”
“Yes, of course.” He took a sip of his coffee. “I love breakfast for dinner.”
“Then why not dinner for breakfast?”
“I really don’t have a solid argument.” Charlie reached for napkin. “It just sounds wrong.”
“I think you might be brainwashed.” I popped open my beer and poured it into a glass. “Who sets the rules for what’s acceptable food at each meal?”
“I don’t know . . . the food police.”
“There are no rules . . . just choices. Be a rebel.”
Charlie signaled the waitress. “Can I add . . . onion rings to my order?”
“Of course, Charlie." She winked. "You rebel.”
Life happens fast
No warning
Like lightening
In the blink of an eye
Once you notice
It’s gone
Too late
No do overs
Seems like it will last forever
But it’s disappears quicker than a thought
Leaving only memories
Of a fleeting past
Youth is life and learning
A time to excel
Easy to misuse
Training ground for your future
Youth made you strong
Age can make you wise
Youthful defiance and achievement without joy
Leaves a hollow man
Bridges lead to possibilities
Challenges
Opportunities
Adventures
Danger or excitement
Bridges help you escape
Evil
Trauma
Life
Reality
Bridges bring past and future together
Forgotten friends
Strangers
Sad memories
And happy ones too
Bridges can fall
But never fail to make connections
A bridge not taken is an unanswered question
