As you know, Mary Ann Andrews (your Aunt) passed away Sunday. I got to visit with her last Thursday. She will be missed. The relationship she forged with her son Johnny was very special, one that only a mother/son can truly understand. My sympathy to Jack's whole family.
It has been 8 years since I wore suits and sports jackets to work. The suits have been hanging in the closet collecting dust. Anticipating that I would need to wear a suit to Mary Ann's funeral, I pulled out a dark colored suit. I wiped the dust off the shoulders. Then I tried the suit on. Remember, I've lost 20 pounds! None of the suits fit very well. I look like a drowning rat. Two buttons fell off the suits, I think from 8 years of decay.
Next I tried on some white dress shirts. Would you believe I was up to an 18 inch neck back in the 1990's. An 18 inch neck in my shirts looks ridiculous. I had some 17.5 inch necks. Ridiculous. I had some 17 inch necks, ridiculous. When I stopped at my local clothing store, I found I'm down to 16.5 inches.
So time marches on. I have been walking at my local health club (Fox River Health Club) for over 8 years. I figure I have logged over 10,000 miles (maybe closer to 12,000). That is equivalent to one half the way around the world. Unbelievable!
And then as a reminder of the ravages of time, I notice on a regular basis as I walk up the steps from the basement (your Mom has a full length mirror positioned at the top of the stairs) that fraility is creeping in.
I am not complaining! I can still score in the low 40's playing 9 holes of golf. I can still shoot a basketball better that most people. How many people walk 4 miles everyday?
Grasshoppers, I think I'm describing life's process. Pursue your dreams! Enjoy the moment! You too will lament someday that "time flies"!
Love,
Dad