Flying home from Chicago.
40 years - married to Val tomorrow. Cannot believe how fast time, life, moments all slip away. I walked past a big window on a shop last night and saw my reflection. I did not recognize me, until I smiled back at me. I thought, "Well, my eyes are the same. My smile is too. The rest of me? Well, I will just look forward to the resurrection." I was thinking about this song.
Jimmy Buffet sings a song: A Pirate Looks At 40. I wonder is that about treasure? Plunder? Bad teeth?
I saw an old man (probably my age) walking along a river. He looked sad, lonely and tired. I asked him, "Sir, are you okay?"
And he said, "I have nothing left in life." I said, "Hey, you have me, asking you if you're ok? Thats something, isn't it?" He said, smiling, "You know, I have lived in this town for 71 years. My wife died 7 years ago. I have no family. Other than my barber, you are the first person who has spoken directly to me all week." I said, "Have you ever tried Karaoke?" He smiled. I said, "My wife, she's dying of cancer. She's going downhill. I thank God every day, for every day. Someday I may be you. But I will remember one thing. I met you today and now I know how much more important it is that I smile and ask others, *are you ok*?" He smiled and said, "I guess I could be nicer to people." I bought him a coffee and we chatted more. He was a hard working guy, nice comfortable retirement. He likes his cooking, but hates the dishes. (Like me, I thought) We talked about God, he hadn't been to church since he was in his 30s, though he still sends money to the priest. We talked about heaven. He wants to believe its there. I told him he made my life richer in the hour I got to know him. Life called me back. I had a conference call to get on.
Aren't we all just thumbing our way back to Heaven? The picture is of my folks who have both passed away. I miss them everyday.
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