Before the holidays, I got a call from a fellow employee from the past. It probably has been 14 years since we’ve had personal contact. He suggested a “face to face” over a cup of coffee.
Gary was a “top level” manager. He was always organized and seemed to have control of his life. Brilliant mind!
Monday we met for coffee. Gary is 60 years old and has a very weathered look (he looks much older). Gary’s life didn’t turn out quite the way he expected. He found a young lady at a horse barn (where his daughter had her horse). Yep, he divorced his wife for the young “filly”. He bought a small farm of 40 acres to live out his life with his new young wife and horses. Here it comes! Divorce number two. Follow that with bankruptcy, a foreclosure of the “farmette” and a battle with alcoholism. Throw in a diagnosis of spinal stenosis which entails constant pain and you have the ingredients for a great novel.
My lunch was not quite what I had expected. I thought we’d talk about old times, grandchildren, golf and common acquaintances.
Gary seems to be coping. I’m not sure what role I just played by meeting him for lunch. Sometimes just talking is good. You’ve got to admit, I am a good listener.
Life has twists and turns. We all live the consequences of our decisions. I’m really glad that I never got involved with horses!
Love,
Dad