“Didn’t you use (d) to be… a member here back when….?”

Yep!

I heard that when I dropped by to visit

the old fitness club to say hello to the owner.

Mike Riley, a good friend and training buddy.

Where I, yes, use (d) to be a member…

Where I used to bench…

Well, anyway….

I also used to be a lot of other things.

But what am I now?

A retired teacher….

Well, yes.

But that doesn’t define me, (any more…)!

I write poetry, so I am an occasional poet.

(Some might argue that….)

I direct plays.

So I guess that makes me an occasional director…

(I got a pizza named for me at a local pizza joint

as evidence, so…).

Is that me?

I am 77.

Gonna be 78 in a couple of months.

That makes me olderly.

( I have youngsters, 40, 50 years old, holding doors for me

as reminders of the oldness of me…)

and, so…,

Oh! BTW,

Merry Christmas, 6 months early,

in case I don’t see you later on…)

So, here I am!

Came north to see my granddaughter’s

High School graduation from the same school

where I used to be a…,

well, anyway…I’m sitting in their living room

between graduation parties, waiting for…

Well, you get the idea.

I am also waiting around to see what,

someday,

I might be…come.

Before someone has the unfortunate opportunity

to ask,

“…Oh! Yeah! Didn’t he use…(d)

to be?”