It Really Does Not Seem all That Long Ago.

My parents are elderly and have recently relocated to Houston, Texas to be closer to the kids and grand kids and holy cow, the GREAT grand kids. How time does move quickly. One one of several trips to my childhood home to clean and box and generally get my parents out of there, I came upon several photo albums. The picture you see below was tucked into the back of some random collection of family memories.
I know where the photo was taken. We were living in Odem, Texas at the time. I was probably in third grade. My brother used to haul ass on his '73 Husky CR 250 right in front of were this photo was taken. The photo did not necessarily bring back a flood of memories. We only lived in Odem for a short time and I have tried to forget most of it. What it did do was get me thinking about the kid in the picture. It is almost as if he is another person. His hands, his smile, his ratty hair cut, his rather questionable t-shirt. It dawned on me that I really like this kid. If I met him now, I would most likely think that he was a cool kid. I would most likely want to hang out with him a little. Maybe ride a few laps with him at the local track or catch a few waves with him.
Of course the picture is of me. That may have something to do with it the nostalgia and the connection to the image. That is obvious. Still there is something else at play. For me, it was the realization that who I was, is also who I am. That kid is still alive in me today. His hands are my hands. His smile is my smile. There is a part of me that is still that cool kid. Don't get hung up there. I am not saying, "Gee, aren't I cool!" I am simply pointing out that we are responsible for the person we are today. We owe it to the kids that we were yesterday.
Hold tight to the dreams of your youth. Don't be afraid to let that inner third grader take over every once and again. As a matter of fact, make sure it happens often. It will keep that kid alive and well and keep your spirit young forever.
I can close my eyes and see my brother Randy on his old Husky. That image of the eternal teenager that he is in many of my memories. I can see that Jonathan that is in third grade, sitting on the porch with his arms folded, legs crossed, watching his older brother ride that mean machine. Then, all at once, I am back there. Seeing it all through the same eyes I saw it through so many years ago.

We all live on. Live it good my friends. Live it young and live it well.