I was sitting in the OST one morning recently having breakfast with a friend of 65 or so years. While reminiscing about our younger selves, we also touched on our current ailments.
During our high school days, Richard Kinsey and I were quite adept at staying one step ahead of trouble. Nowadays we are very careful with every single step we take.
Our visits to the OST back in the day were usually in the evenings and under the watchful eye of Sheriff Miller and Richard's dad who was the city marshal for a while.
Today, trouble is the last thing on the agenda as we talk about aches and pains and doctor visits.
I recall as a kid listening to my elders discussing such things and wondered if that was what getting older was all about. Evidently so.
I was the first to get married, and then I went away for a while as I served in the U.S. Army.
A few years later, Richard took a stroll down the aisle and we kinda drifted apart as his work had him traveling around the country.
Occasionally over the years we would bump into each other and it was always fun to recall some of our youthful shenanigans even if he had a slightly different version of how things went down.
Being a bit older than me I just figured his mind was beginning to slip a little. Anyway that's what I keep telling myself.
We never discuss politics or sports at our morning meetings. There is enough of that going on over there at the table of knowledge. Besides, I don't follow sports like I did back in the day.
In today's world the professional players have become bigger than the game. At least in their minds. I still believe that there is no 'I' in team, so I have turned it off. Sadly the college level is beginning to mimic the pros.
Hero worship was a lot easier back when I was a kid.
On the baseball field at St. Joseph's Catholic School during recess or when we gathered after class and on the weekends everyone claimed to be Mickey Mantle when it was their turn to bat.
The old ballfield is part of the cemetery now where I occasionally go and visit with Angel Martinez and Charles Kalka. They now rest near where second base and shortstop were located during their playing days.
Angel was one of the best ball handlers around and that glove he had was the envy of everyone. Charles will forever be known as the home run king.
They are near the top of my heroes list that always begins with Jesus Christ at number one.
They deserve to be recognized and remembered for the ultimate sacrifice they made in Viet Nam. Not even Mickey Mantle can compete with them on that level.
I still enjoy meeting up with friends for coffee or any chance to get together and chat about the latest happenings around the town.
Butch Bradford and Roy Dugosh are usually found on the streets of Bandera in the early mornings on weekdays. Now you can take that as an opportunity or a warning.
Kelly Scott is usually camping out on Main Street on the weekends and is always ready for a talk about back in the day Bandera.
It's all good as long as it doesn't interfere with my naptime. I turn my phone off now during that sacred time because even family members will call when they know they shouldn't. I think they call it, 'poking the bear.”
Just letting me know I am loved beyond measure, I'm sure. If you come from a big family then you will understand.
That constant need I had as a kid to be on the ballfield or running the river with my friends has faded here in my current Growing Up in Bandera life.
I'm content to sit on the front porch with my little dog and watch the world pass by.
Still, I wonder, wouldn't it be nice if we could recreate some of that simple life from not that long ago?
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