Dear Friends

My lovely wife and I had the chance to visit with some old friends on our last trip downstate. People have such busy schedules that it takes some extra effort to connect. We hadn't seen each other since a third friend's daughter's wedding. That was a year ago. Where does the time go?

It's interesting to compare how our lives are going. They appear to be doing quite well and are very much tied into the system: good jobs, house in an expensive suburb, retirement plan, medical, kids in college -the whole bit.

My wife and I . . . not so much. We have a fraction of their income, live out in the country, and our kids are older and on their own now. We've given up on the whole career thing are living in an alternative economy. Every year, we are less and less connected to the dominate system.

All that doesn't really matter. While we don't have much in common anymore, we still enjoy each other's company. Everyone is trying to get by in a messed up world.

They do seem to enjoy hearing about our adventures. However, they keep referring to “my poor wife,” who has to put up with me. She's not being dragged along. “My poor wife,” is a partner and enabler.

I think we both enjoy seeing how the other side lives. It's always a pleasure to get together and they even treated us to dinner. That was pleasant.

There aren't a lot of middle-aged folks who are still in contact with their old school buddies. (Facebook doesn't count.)

-Sixbears