Martini of the Night (Really, the Week)
Lots of disparate threads working tonight.
My wife has to work late. Probably won’t be home until 10. Sigh.
My older son had a law school final today but is spending the night at a Bruins game. Hard to ever imagine, but I’ll root for Boston. Sigh #2.
I’m probably going to have to work 1.75 more years unless I get laid off. Sigh #3.
BUT…
In one week, next Friday, two of my kids will come home for the summer. I don’t care that they are 26 and 21; I still enjoy having them at home. My 23-year-old turns 24 next week, and he’s doing well, too. For a brief shining moment, I’m not stressed about any kid. (I know, I just jinxed it.)
I’ve posted about my 60-year crisis, and it’s real, but I’ve had a good life.
I was in a particularly sullen mood. Again, I’m always a little sullen, but this was next level. My wife listened and then asked, “Do you want me to just listen, or do you want my take?”
The reason I’m not completely off the rails is that I say, “No, I want your take.”
And she unloaded. Nicely.
She basically walked through my entire life from the beginning and hit the highlights. All the way to, “and you made a really nice omelet this morning.”
This is why I admit I’m biased toward partnered people. Left alone, I’d be a disaster. She keeps me in the Overton Window.
Anyway, tonight’s martini is in reflection.
I may be stunned that I’m 60, but I met my best friend yesterday, and now he’s visiting his granddaughter. What the hell. It was yesterday we were drunk in Sellery Hall at UW-Madison. Neither of us should be someone’s grandparent. It’s been amazing and fast and I’m so appreciative to have known him.
I’ve known my oldest friend since kindergarten. That’s almost 55 years. Same as above. I don’t talk to him as much as college roommate (which really understates what he means to me), but damn.
Crazy.
So, to all the people who have been with me forever, thank you.
You make life worth living.
As a tangent, my daughter has some great college friends. She’s been lucky not to have COVID mess up her college years. Her roommate has been awesome. Her BFFs likewise. I hope she has a 42 year friendship with them like I have been lucky to have.
Okay, cliche… but it really is the friends we make along the way. Oy. I really need to not post when I’m drinking a martini.
It is my habit on May 1 so…