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The Brotherhood of Old Guys
In the nine months since I've become a retired person, I've often stated how great retirement life is. It's even better than I was led to believe. And, from what I'm told, it will continue to be a great lifestyle. But I've noticed something during the past nine months. It seems no matter where I go, I spot other retired people, especially retired men while shopping in stores.
The scenario has always been the same. While moving towards each other down some grocery store aisle, our eyes meet and we nod at each other knowingly. It's seems to be the secret nod of the Brotherhood of Old Guys. What I see nodding back is this old, old guy, who, judging from how he looks, seems as though he retired twenty years ago. But what never occured to me is that he's looking at me, thinking the same thing! After all, I do have a grey beard and the hairs on the top of my head have retreated long ago.
Then one of us will extend a greeting and the next thing you know we are in a conversation of some sort, whether it be about the weather, the items we're shopping for, or some sports team. The conversation is always friendly and always on a positive note, with both of us happy to be meeting someone else from the Brotherhood. It's like a special club that all those youngsters can't yet belong to. It's like we have the inside track on getting one last laugh at life.
Just this morning, for example, I approached the checkout line at a local grocery store. The line was long and the last man in line had a grocery cart about half full of items. I was carrying my 12-pack of iced tea. And then it happened: our eyes met, and then we nodded knowingly. He then tilted his head, motioning for me to go ahead of him. He smiled, "I'm in no hurry. I've got all day."
From how old I looked he probably knew that I had all day, too. He probably knew right away that I was in the Brotherhood of Old Guys. I took him up on his offer and moved in front of his shopping cart. I said, "I've got all day, too. I just retired this year."
He said, "Oh, I've been retired a long time. In fact, next month I'll be 85."
"You lucky guy," I remarked, "but you probably worked hard your whole life. I have this theory that people who worked hard their whole life get to live longer."
Without hesitation, he told me that he had quit school at the age of 16, went to work in the woods in Newcomb with a logging firm, and worked there almost 50 years. I smiled, feeling like my 35 years in the classroom were no match for this 85-year-old.
"Yah," he continued, "and I just got back from visiting Seattle with my girlfriend."
Now that got my attention! "Wow, you are a lucky guy," I told him. "You're 85 and you've got a girlfriend! That gives me some hope."
He laughed. "You betcha. Never stop working and never stop trying," he advised with a wink.
It was obvious this sage advice would only be given to someone in the Brotherhood of Old Guys.
Comments
...when can I get in?
Posted by: wh | April 19, 2006 12:00 PM
Hi,Foxy, I really enjoyed your Brotherhood of Old Guys article...I identify with it completely.. Thanks for taking some of your retirement time to write these articles... I enjoy all of them
Ray
Posted by: Ray Ducatte | April 19, 2006 6:40 AM
I am sure that the "Carver" has enjoyed the time well spent in the supermarkets. We do tend to meet many, many people in our age group. As for solving any codes I am not sure about that. I will take it under consideration.
(Foxy's note: Hey, maybe Old Timer has cracked the code or maybe he hasn't. But if he has, why should he share it with rest of us? I'd like a little time to have that code all to myself!)
Posted by: Old Timer | April 18, 2006 5:01 PM
Since I retired, I'm so busy that I ask myself when I found time to work ...
Proud member of the "brotherhood."
Posted by: jim | April 18, 2006 11:52 AM
Good to know where all the "Brotherhood of Old Guys"
hang out,.... maybe the Brotherhood ought to try to figure out where the "Order of Retired Chicks" hangs out! ( I'll bet they too have their own secret nod) Perhaps "old timer" could shed some light on the subject, I heard he's cracked their code!
Posted by: the carver | April 18, 2006 7:15 AM
Having a good time in FL. GOING OUT FOR A BUCKET OF WINGS!!
Posted by: B Dailey | April 17, 2006 1:09 PM