Old Friends!

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When We Get Old – Susanne Hæstad

As I sit on my (still not a park bench!) armchair in my working room, I’m still amazed at how these previous times have passed, with renovations and holidays in foreign countries (that is, after all, not in an EU community!)… I’ve reached a certain age where I may not feel physically but still not mentally. I thought, after a difficult post like the one before, I’d gab a bit about my feelings.

A few days before, one of our friends shared about feeling lonely on his/her birthday. I empathized with, even though I believe a birthday is just like any other day. After all, it’s only a number that goes up, which is definitely better than the alternative! However, my birthday became a big deal in our family because it was a milestone age—something you wouldn’t expect by looking at me! Perhaps it’s the child inside me that never lets my true age show and always keeps that inner child alive.

In the early nineties
Just a few days ago

Time it was
And what a time it was
It was . . .
A time of innocence
A time of confidences
Long ago . . . it must be . . .
I have a photograph
Preserve your memories
They’re all that’s left you
Bookends

Moreover, my main reason for writing these words is because a sudden rush of memories reminded me of the time when Al and I kept listening to that Simon & Garfunkel album(Bookends) over and over again. We were young back then and didn’t know how strange it was to be seventy years old. Now I know it (unfortunately, Al didn’t reach that); nevertheless, as I still must continue my work and drive the older adults to their destinations, I don’t feel that old as they do.

“Old Friends” by Simon & Garfunkel

Old friends
Old friends
Sat on their park bench
Like bookends
A newspaper blown through the grass
Falls on the round toes
On the high shoes
Of the old friends

Old friends
Winter companions
The old men
Lost in their overcoats
Waiting for the sunset
The sounds of the city
Sifting through trees
Settle like dust
On the shoulders
Of the old friends

Can you imagine us
Years from today
Sharing a park bench quietly?
How terribly strange
To be seventy

Old friends
Memory brushes the same years
Silently sharing the same fear

🙏💖🖖🤗

26 thoughts on “Old Friends!”

  3. elainemansfield's avatar elainemansfield

    My beloved Vic lived to be 67. I was 62 when he died and felt I had lots of time. Along with experiencing grief and loss, I had more life to live, a book to write, inner work to do.

    I still have old friends I’ve known since the late 1960s when we began studying and meditating together. Life seemed long when we’re young, but it seems short now that I’m nearing 79. Sending you love and gratitude.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. I will be 75 in less than a month, plan to live to 115 or so (hope I don’t regret that), and that by then the medical researchers will have gotten off their little rear ends and figured out first long covid, then ME/CFS (similar – has NEVER gotten enough research money), and that there is something that will make me better and I can still use. If not, all bets are off, though both parents lived into their 90s. We’ll see.

    I’d just like to get back to walking, and would love the energy to write novels with something other than the ‘speed of continental drift’ (stolen from my friend, writer Mary McGuire).

    I’ve already lost 34 years, almost 35, to this monster, and it still annoys the heck out of me.

    Liked by 1 person

    • As far as the future of medicine is concerned, this is a professional prophecy. Thank you very much for that! But honestly, I am sorry for your suffering and pain, and I hope there will be a solution before your 115th birthday. Take care, dear Alicia.💖💖🌹

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Aladin, this is such a beautiful, inspirational birthday post, thank you for sharing! Oh, how appropriate for you at seventy, to also share Simon & Garfunkel’s song “Old friends”! In your photo you appear so much younger than your actual age, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who believes this. Reaching seventy must feel like such an honour, and yep, it really is a milestone.

    I hope you had a wonderful day, week, month and are filled up with all the love, light, and laughter that you are receiving from your family, friends, and soul companions (myself, I spend the entire month celebrating my birthday!). Wishing you a happy, healthy and creative seventieth year, love and light, Deborah.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you, my lovely Deborah. Yes, it is OK not to look so old, though some people (of course strangers) sometimes don’t take me seriously; they think, what wants this lad?!👨‍🦰😜😅

      Anyhow, it is nice to celebrate a month-long, but I rather keep calm and try to ignore aging.😉
      Love to you, my angel.💖🌺

      Liked by 1 person

  8. A wonderful post Aladin! As for age – well I see it as just a number and by keeping a youthful approach to life in general, still being able to giggle, let your inner child be filled with wonder and your creative heart run free – that’s what keeps us young. I hope you had a lovely birthday month of celebrations and the good company of family and friends and shared much love, light and most importantly of all…laughter!.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you, my dearest Lin. You have said the wise words: don’t count the numbers and keep the youth in the heart. I will do my best—although sometimes the body doesn’t believe that! 😂 And thank you for your wishes; I have received warmth and love from my close family, and I am happy it was within the limits. I wish you and yours a lovely time.🙏💖🎉

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  10. Jean Raffa's avatar Jean Raffa

    Happy Birthday, Aladin. This is exquisitely tender and beautiful. Here again, I see so many similarities between us. The youthful looks, the way music speaks so profoundly to us, the strangeness of aging, our allegiance to our inner child. I’ve the same quote at the beginning of the journal/memoir/possible book I’m writing now about Little Jeanie. May Little Aladdin continue to share his love for life for many years to come.

    Liked by 1 person

    • This is probably the best thing that could have happened in my life: getting to know little Jeane and having a profound connection with her. I hope our inner child stays joint forever. Thank you for being with me.🙏💖😘

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Happy Birthday dear Aladin!

    I know how you feel, thinking about time passed and more importantly – people passed.

    There are times it’s not even a friend, but someone who made life miserable, yet one can’t forget so it makes a mark.

    Still you are here, and you look marvellous!

    ❦🌟💓🫶🌹🎂🎉😘🎁

    Like

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