That's what friends do...

I hope everyone has had a chance to have a best friend in life whether from a long time ago when you were neighbor kids playing together or now in the present time when you needed someone to be there to listen to you or maybe be there if you had an illness or simply someone you could trust to share your ideas.

Fortunately, I have had that best friend from both my childhood and who has remained as such to now almost sixty years later.

 Eddie Stout didn't live far from me...actually only a few blocks away... But that short distance that separated us included one the tallest hills, Wampler Ave., in the world, .....well, our world at least... seeing that at our young age our world pretty much was just about the distance we could pedal our bicycles. Even still, the "hill" always stood in my way whenever I ventured out to Eddie's and my meeting place, Loos School.

Yes, those were the days back then. Eddie and I, even though at different schools and one school year separating us...when I say one school year it's because  Eddie was considered a child wonder back in those days and he was able to skip a school year even though we were born in the same year. I knew a lot of kids who went backwards a year and even two years, but Eddie is the only person I have ever known in my life who skipped a year.

Eddie and I honed our baseball skills together usually on a roughened dirt field behind Loos School and then later on down at Triangle Park in Dayton, Ohio. Some years together on the same team and some times as competitors. We learned about music and rock and roll with Eddie introducing me to the Beatles before anyone else in the neighborhood had any idea who they were.

As we moved into high school our friendship strengthened. We learned to trust each other, depend on each other and learned skills, traits and knowledge that would make both of us successes in our lives. Sure, we picked up a bad habit or two along the way but that added to our cache of wisdom later in life when we had to make life decisions.

And now, after all of these years gone by, Eddie and I still communicate often several times a week commenting on whatever catches our eye. Every message, every email, every comment always leaves me laughing and I hope I do the same for him.

And then today, Eddie sends me a package out of the clear blue just because, well, just because he is Eddie. A truly good soul. A truly great father, husband and especially a wonderful grandfather. And most important to me...a truly great friend.

He had seen an item on Facebook that I had posted a few years back that had some video of me as a young Skeeter boy rowing a little boat at a little lake in Michigan that we used to go to every year. Klinger Lake was outside of Sturgis and Eddie had remembered going to that same lake years later to the wedding of a nephew and he commented as such.

And now today, I receive a ball cap from Eddie that says, Klinger Lake. Maybe in some people's eyes that might not mean so much. But to me it means the world.

He thinks of me. What more can you ask of a friend other than "think of me". He was always there. He has always been there. And he still is my best friend after all of these years.

Thank you, my friend.

On turning 70

Editor's note: As my 70th birthday quickly approaches, I was surprised the other day when I got a call from the  AARF acknowledging this milestone in my life. If you're not familiar with this organization, it was recently formed to accommodate those seniors who are a little more outspoken than the members of the more traditional AARP. The AARF, American Association of Retired Farts, was inquiring if I would like to do an interview for their upcoming online edition on what it's like to turn 70. I told them I'd be happy to help and they said I could begin anytime and to just email the story when I was finished. Somewhat confused, I asked, "Who is doing the interviewing?" They replied, "You are". When I asked, "Who am I interviewing?" They replied, "Yourself". They said they are on a limited budget and they had been told that I used to interview people for a living.  I said that was true, so they thought who better to interview me, than me....so anyway, here goes.

You've come a long way, Skeeter

AARF: Mr. Kender, I want to thank you for taking the time to share your feelings and emotions about what it's like to turn 70.

Me: Well thanks for taking your time to be here. What would you like to know?

AARF: From what I have learned, you seem to be fighting this journey into the septuagenarian period of your life, what's up with that?

Me: The problem isn't so much turning 70 as it is wondering where in the heck have I been all these years. I mean, come on, I know it sounds like a cliche' but it seems like just yesterday I was in grade school doing all kinds of crazy stuff with my friends Eddie Stout and The Jer like goin' down to the Stillwater River to catch crawdads.

AARF: Of course we all have those memories, but that's part of life and growing. It's those memories and events in your life that make you who you are. Do you feel like you've made some accomplishments along the way?

Me: I've had some successes and of course some disappointments. I've had a chance to get a good education, work in various careers, heck, even work for a celebrity for a period of time. I also had the opportunity to serve my country in the U.S. Air Force.

AARF: When you say "opportunity" to serve in the military, didn't most of the people your age have to serve during the Vietnam War?

Me: Yes, there was a mandatory draft and some of us enlisted. Regardless of how we got there,  I made the most of the situation and learned as much as I could.

AARF: Back to this turning 70 thing, and by the way, you seem to get off subject a little, is that typical of you?

Me: First of all, you forget I am playing two roles here...so cut me a little slack. And yes, I do have a problem staying on point. We didn't have labels like ADD back in the day, it was more like "Tommy doesn't exercise self control" "doesn't stay on task"...Hey, I'm creative...my mind is always working....uh, what was the question?

AARF: I was just trying to get you back to the 70's thing, that's why I am here. Do you find yourself getting a little testy now that you are getting older?

Me: Dang right I do. I don't have the patience with people like I used to. I don't know if they are getting more dumb or I am getting smarter. Either way, I just get tired of seeing and hearing the hate and anger that's happening. It's caused me to get more angry. Neat thing, now I can get away with it. People will just say, "Oh he's just some old fart"...hence, the creation of the AARF. I do have to give full disclosure here. I started the organization, myself.

AARF: What do you think has changed most about you as you get ready to take that first step into your next decade of life?

Me: I find that I have to be more cautious of my surroundings. I have three little tests or checks before I leave the house. 1. Teeth in. 2. Zipper up. 3. Shoes tied. If I can get two out of three, then it's safe to leave.

AARF: What about health? A lot of people your age seem to be experiencing a decline in their health.

Me: Twenty years ago when I turned 50, see right there...that's what just really upsets me TWENTY YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS 50.....ugh, I hate this, anyway...I said to my very close friend at that time Bill Boren, "Any day I live past 50, I feel I am on borrowed time". I was living pretty hard. Drinking, smoking, eating poorly and over the past few years have quit a lot of those bad habits.  I must say, I feel better now than I have in a long time. Sadly, Bill didn't make it much further.

AARF: What about regrets, any that you can think of over the last 70 years?

Me: I have a whole list, but I have learned to move on. I do like the quote from Benjamin Franklin though, " Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing."... One thing I do wish I had learned years ago and have a small regret. It was learning to dive off of the high dive at Phillip's Aquatic Club, I always had to jump.. Other than that, I'm fine

AARF: Any thoughts or goals for the next 10 years?

Me: I have a lot of writing to do. I want to get a lot of my stories down on paper. I'm real deep into electronic automation and geek stuff like that and I want to feel like I made a difference in people's lives.

AARF: Mr. Kender, I want to thank you for sharing some thoughts. I was hoping it might be somewhat funnier based on your earlier work. But, nonetheless, it was informative, boring, but informative.

Me: Well, I said I am dragging my heels and fighting this whole 70th bithday, so I'm not at my best. But I did want to do something to ease the pain as my journey as an old fart continues.

You never know what you'll find until you find it

Let me preface by saying that for the last couple of months I've really kinda been out of sorts. I've been frustrated and confused with knowing that my 70th birthday is soon approaching. To me it's just unfathomable. It just doesn't seem possible. I've had my heels dug in refusing to accept it. So, I spent some time trying to figure out how this could be happening. And guess what?.....IT'S NOT....I'm not turning 70, I'm actually turning 65!!!.

Now I am sure some of you naysayers out there are scratchin' your head-brains and thinkin' this is just another Tommyboy scheme. Just another of his ploys of stretchin' the truth...just another of his Skeeter tricks. Well, you're wrong. I'VE GOT PROOF.

And, it not only shows that I am only 64 but it explains a whole lot of other questions as well.

I decided to go through a treasure trove of old family pictures and memorabilia that my brother, Dave, and sister -in-law sent me a couple of months ago and wow, did I truly discover a real treasure.

Apparently my real birth certificate had somehow gotten stuck down inside the flap of this old cardboard box and simply by chance was I able to discover it.

I started looking it over, not paying much attention to it until I spotted the birth date. August 16, 1953...NOT...August 16, 1948. For all of these years I have been under the impression that I was older than I was and which now means I can put off my 70th until 5 more years down the road. People have told me, "You don't look like you will be 70"...Well, heck no...I'm only 64 fixin' to turn 65.

More importantly it explains how all my years growin' up I was constantly being told by the nuns at Our Lady of Mercy, "Tommy, act your age"......"Tommy, grow up" or being told by my brothers, "Tommy, quit acting like a baby"......when in fact, here I was like supposedly ten years old when  I was only five. No wonder I got check marks for " unable to get along with others" or "does not accept supervision"...heck, I was 5 years younger than my peers.

Now I realize this is hard for all of you to comprehend because it certainly was for me when I found all of this out. But it could happen right?

Obviously there will be some repercussions because of all of this. I'm probably going to have to return some of my Social Security payments. I will have to get a new drivers license and the mountain of paperwork will be huge. But now I have time to do it. Five years of time.

And to all of my friends who I have whined to about turning 70......"Tough luck, suckers" I'm a new man!

Livin' La Dolce Vita

I’ve come to the Island, South Padre Island, with the intentions of relaxing, resting, becoming inspired and simply having fun. And, I guess maybe checking one or two items off of my bucket list and I guess doing some writing.

For too long, I’ve been searching for that purpose, though down here, that might better be said, searching for that porpoise. Nonetheless, it has always been me searching, trying to find the reason for my being. Trying to find what makes me tick, trying to understand.

But all it took was for me to wake up and see a sunrise. That’s it. All of the desires and wants are secondary to being able to see God’s presence before me each morning. The first one on Sunday was more than I expected. Spectacular. Beautiful. Powerful. Inspiring.

The next one was totally different in appearance but with the same emotions. Then today, today was a little different. We were up a little earlier than the days before and as I sat out on our balcony, I began to get a little nervous wondering where my sunrise was. I’ve pretty much quit looking at a clock or watch for the past few days but I knew the time for God’s masterpiece was nigh. But where was it?

I began reflecting on the previous day and began trying to put some order into my nervousness. Albeit foolish nervousness, yet the anxiety began to build. Where is my sunrise, God? How come you are late? What’s going on?

As I have been told all of my life, my plan isn’t necessarily His plan. My timeclock isn’t necessarily His timeclock. My purpose isn’t necessarily His purpose.

And suddenly there He was in all of His glory shining on me, shining on my beach. Shining on my island. Shining on my world. I guess my faith was tested again at least in my mind. He was coming. His sun was coming…..when He was ready.

I have found and now am living La Dolce Vita. I am living “the good life”. Not because I am fortunate enough to be able to be on an island and see both His sunrises and sunsets but because I was simply reminded as long as I can see the sun and feel the sun, I am still alive and that my friend, is “the good life”.

Sure, basking in the warmth. Walking in the sand. Hearing the roar of the waves. Feeling the coolness of the water all adds to the senses. But just being thankful for being alive as I learn of more and more acquaintances moving along gives me La Dolce Vita.

Do I need the beach to enjoy it more. Sure, I’m only human and there is nothing wrong with worldly pleasures. But if I lost it all today, all I would need is that sunrise.

Peace.

"To everything....turn, turn, turn"

Beautiful song, beautiful lyrics and a beautiful meaning.

Although Pete Seeger is credited with writing the lyrics to this song, as most people know these are verses from the book of Ecclesiastes with Pete adding the title and the phrase... turn, turn, turn. The Byrds then recorded it in the early 60's and I've been singing it all my life but never really listening to it, at least listening and understanding.

And then, one of the lines that I have been singing all of this time finally meant something to me:

"And a time to every purpose, under Heaven"

Tonight I was up at midnight having a conversation with my 15 year old grandson, Caleb. He and his brother, Nathan, are spending the weekend with us while my son-in-law, Ben and daughter, Kassidy, are celebrating Ben's birthday on a much needed weekend getaway in Oklahama City. Their two other boys, "The Littles", Owen and Brendon, are with Ben's Mom and Dad.

The weekend got off to a little bit of a rocky start after we had gotten home Friday afternoon from picking them up from a halfway point from Ardmore, Oklahoma. We had pretty much said goodnight to the boys later that evening only to have to Caleb wake us up and tell us he was hungry and it was 8:30 at night. I guess we had forgotten how teenagers have a bottomless pit for a stomach and time really doesn't have much meaning. Plus the fact we are old, as in "go to bed early old". Anyway, they wanted a pizza, we wanted sleep and the compromise was crackers.

Tonight however was different. 

I got up at midnight, just to make sure everyone was where they were supposed to be, lights turned off, and dog not left outside. And not surprisingly, Caleb was awake and on his tablet.

I guess he was a little surprised I was awake and we exchanged some pleasantries and I let him get back to doing his thing, and me simply doing a walk-through.

And then I decided to talk. Better still, I decided to listen. 

It dawned on me, when was the last time I had kept quiet and listened to what other people had to say? When was the last time I allowed someone else to share their ideas and dreams without interruptions? When was the last time I listened to a teenager and was willing to think that they have dreams as well and something intelligent to add?

I kind of broke the ice a little as I shared some of the stupid things I did when I was his age. I caught myself holding back talking about the real stupid stuff like sneaking my Dad's car out of the garage in the middle of the night with my friend, Bobby R., but I did tell him about my smoking and the regrets for those actions.

And then it was his turn.

He told me of his wanting to be able to build a high-powered, extremely fast computer. He told me of how sometime later in life he wanted to start a business of having people who would work for him making company logos and he would sell the logos to different businesses. He told me how he might consider the military. He had a lot of ideas and I encouraged him and told him they were all doable.

We touched on his frustrations with his current laptop not working up to the capacity that he needed to do some of his gaming. Some of that frustration showed earlier in the day when he started yelling at the laptop and I told him to close it and not open it again while he was here. He apologized and I forgave him and moved on.

I opened the door a little wider and mentioned how anger and frustration is what is splitting this country in half. I wasn't surprised at all either when this 15 year old told me he was so tired of hearing the anger from people only because they have different views on politics. Hearing the anger makes him angry.

This was a wakeup call to me. And once again I heard the song in my head and the wonderful lyrics.

"A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together"

As I have written so many times before and asked the same question, "Why am I on this earth? Why am I here while my friends move on to another place?  Once again, the answer was right in front of me. I'm simply here to help a young boy, a young man, find his dreams and listen to what he has to say.