Carol

I have a high school friend, she was out running or walking, doing a regular early morning routine. She was hit by a pickup truck and critically injured a few days ago.

She is in the hospital now, in the town where we grew up. She is in a coma, fighting for her life.

I’m not very old, but I’m certainly not young anymore. My Mom and Dad are gone. My brother is gone. I have already lost friends.

I don’t know about you, but losing people, people I love; it makes me reflect, it makes me think about life;

look back at what’s past (and reflect);

look forward to what is left (and consider);

What might I have done differently?

What can I do with the time I have left?

<><><><><>

My friend who just got hit by a truck, she is my age, early 60s. I hope she recovers. Although I’ve lost touch, I know that she’s a very good woman. She helps people.

My high school friend Carol is an Attorney and I’ve no doubt she is a damn good one.

My friend helps people with estate planning, long term care planning and estate administration.

My friend Carol is not done yet. My friend Carol has more work to do. I feel sure that she’s not done yet.

She is too young. Not done.

Please get-well Carol. Stay with us. We need you. This world needs you. (We need to meet and laugh and tell stories, one day, near future, like we did when we were young, one day soon, one day - once again.)

<><><><><>

So, thinking about this life and growing up as kind of a geek, math, science guy;

Life has me thinking about numbers.

How much time do we get?

My Mom (66 years) and my Dad (73 years) and my Brother (70 years).

Holey Moley!!!

It sure seems like they got jipped, short changed. I mean c’mon. Is this what I should expect?

I hear a LOUD clock ticking. (Tick F’in Tock)

I’m not thinking I’m going to end up being featured alongside any Smucker’s Jelly Jar.

(There used to be an early morning TV product placement promotion that featured people who made it to triple digits. The TV Talking Head featured 100-year-old smiling faces alongside a jar of jelly. Must be - old people love their jelly. I like jelly just as much as the next guy… I just don’t think that will be me. Jelly Jar Scott.)

But my peeps, checking out at age 66, 70, 73? Please no.

My Mom and Dad lifted me up. They always wanted me to - - - do better. I’m aiming for at least 74. (I am a dreamer, maybe even some numbers bigger than that.)

Shoot for the stars Scotty. (I can still hear your voice, Mom. I’m listening. I can still hear you.)

<><><><><>

Here you go. Real numbers. NOT fake news.

USA, USA:

Average life expectancy in the USA

- women = 81.4

- men = 75.8

Blue (spinning) Ball:

Average life expectancy, planet Earth

- women = 73.8

- men = 68.4

Showoffs, the country that wins the longevity race:

Average life expectancy Monaco (you know you wanna go)

- women = 93.6

- men = 85.8

Spread (delta) - Monaco compared to Earth: women +19.8 yrs / men +17.4 yrs

Spread (delta) - Monaco compared to USA: women +12.2 yrs / men +10.0 yrs

Wanna grab some extra time - - - put a few more ticks on the clock?

Move to Monaco. Duh!!!

<><><><><>

Honestly, no joke, thinking about time - our time here - what’s gone and what is left;

For me anyways, it’s not a bad thing - to think - to reflect - to consider.

I still don’t know how soccer time works, but I do know American football. I am a fan.

An analogy that works for me, four quarters; football four quarter of 15 (minutes)

Life, an average USA life; four quarters of 20 (years)

And then, like football, some of the best “games” go deep into OT (extra years, extra time)

Q1 - Age 0 - 20: Growing Up

Q2 - Age 20 - 40: Building

Q3 - Age 40 - 60: Mastering

Q4 - Age 60 - 80: Winding Down

OT - Age 80 - Smucker’s Jar: Growing Old

Smuckers Jar plus: Congress, Supreme Court, POTUS, Washington D.C.

<><><><><>

The ultimate game.

Do well. Do good. Go deep.

Life

<><><><><>

PHOTO:

1980, Senior Prom

That’s me and that is my friend - Carol, Carol who got hit by a truck.

Young Scott. Young Carol. Me and my friend Carol, my Senior Prom Date - Carol.

You would like Carol. (You would like Carol a lot.)

We need you (still) Carol. Stay with us, please.

Time, life, family and friends.

Get well Carol. (We love you. We need you.)

Heal. Feel Better. I want to see you at our 50th high school reunion.

Be there. (Please. Please meet me (again) at our 50.)

OK?