I rode the bike to the DG where I parked it
next to a neat little motor scooter. I went in to pick up two items, coffee and
laundry detergent, two things I suppose one could exist without, but that could
hardly be called living. When I came back to my wheel, a young man was loading
his purchases into the scooter. “That’s the way to go these days,” I remarked.
“Sure is, Mr. L,” he replied.
I said, “If I’m not on my bike I am on one of
those.”
“I remember,” he said, “that you rode a bike with a really high
seat.”
“Yes, but not anymore. I doubt that I could even get on it anymore. Age does that to you.”
“I know,” he chimed in, “I just turned fifty-two. I’ll
have a new grandchild in a week or two.”
Really, I am thinking. This was one of my
students in elementary school. I could not think of his name. I used to be fair
with name recall, but the brain, like the muscles, seems to atrophy with time.
“How many grandchildren do you have now?” I inquired.
“Three, all girls. If
the next one isn’t a boy, that will be the end of the line for the Mc______
name.”
(Thanks for the clue!) "Well, it is all good, anyway,” I said. “It’s good to
see you".
He extended his hand, I shook it, and he said, “Nice seeing you,
too!” He started his motor, I mounted the bike. Each headed his own way.
5 comments:
That's nice to run into your old students like that. Do they still all call you "Mr.?" I do that...still. I can't help it. Anyone older than me gets a Mr. or Mrs.--no matter how long I have known them.
As a side note--I also always say my name when I see someone I haven't seen in awhile. I know how I can't place people anymore, so I figure others are too. It's always best to assume they don't remember you or your name.
Great story. I am forever running into people who know me and I haven't a clue who they are- they were skinny teens when we worked with them. And they have grandchildren. So strange. Since I don't have any, it feels a bit like time stood still for me, but the rest of the world marches on. (except I do have a few more aches and pains)
Hi "Vanilla". I just discovered your blog "String Too Short to Tie" and have enjoyed reading some past posts.
I love the poem you posted: 137 Drops of Rain. May I share it on Facebook? I would like to give credit where credit is due. Please reply here, or e-mail me at ladybugjewel@hotmail.com.
Thank you much!
Oh, I run into that so often- students I ha when they were 11-12-13 years old, now fully grown and grappling with the aging process. At least he gave you a clue...
Lin, they do "Mr." me, and while I don't need the title to prop me up, I am pleased that they use it. And on your side note, just a few days ago, I offered my had to a man I had met briefly some time back and said "David," meaning to remind him of my name; but his name was David, too! Momentary confusion.
Sharkey, grandchildren or no, it is probably pretty much the same for us all. I feel as though time has marched on and left me behind. Well, as you say, except for the aches and pains; and I suspect we pretty much all have those, too.
Anon, at ladybugjewel, I am tickled that you would want to share the little verse. Thanks. You may credit it to "vanilla" if you wish.
Shelly, my wife came into my life after my retirement, and she never ceases to be amazed at the number of people who greet me by name, and how wide-spread across the area.
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