Life's too short

The condition of my friend in the previous blog got me thinking those thoughts. Those life’s-too-short thoughts.

Not that long ago, I hooked up with an old neighbor on the web. We exchanged a lot of fond memories of growing up together.

She suggested that we compare calendars, I come east and meet her in the old neighborhood to walk the streets together. I went her one better. “Then we go to Alvino’s (our hangout) for a slice and up to Greenwood Dairies for a Pig’s Dinner (giant sundae).

“There is no Greenwood’s anymore and, as far as I recall, you were banned from Alvino’s the summer you graduated.”

“Let’s see, old man Alvino was older than the Dead Sea Scrolls then, I’m guessing he won’t be there to enforce the exile.”

So, it was set. Except, then she called and said she had to go down to Florida to move her mother from one home to another. I could meet her there instead and we’d do some cool things, like swim with dolphins. And, her mother would love to see me.

“Your mother thought I was a delinquent.”

“Still does. This is your chance to prove her wrong.” Easier said than done.

I pondered it for a moment. Flashbacks of Mrs. Pallino chasing me down the street with her broom, looking for a kill shot. But, it wasn’t just that.

Meeting her on the old street would be nostalgia. But, a rendezvous in Florida is…? I don’t know. “I’ll pass on it. Why don’t we wait until you get back and think up another time we can meet on the old turf?”

Long silence and a weak “Okay.” That went well.

But, thoughts today are that tomorrow is promised to no one. Seeing an old friend and swimming with dolphins? Sounding pretty good. I just called and asked if the invitation was still open.”

“You’d better believe it!”

We’re on. Hope her mother has lost a step or two.