Reflecting on the past, thoughts about the future

To the editor:

Reading Linda Messmer's letter and Mr. Phillips, I have to add my thoughts for reflection past and future.

I can sympathize with both as "being" old is a reality as my 88 1/2 years tells me that "everything hurts, and what doesn't hurt doesn't work." Your children begin to look middle-aged, your mind makes contracts your body can't keep, you look forward to get the local newspaper and look first to the obits, you're 17 around the neck and 42-plus in the waist, the little old lady (if you're fortunate enough to still have one) is the wife you are helping across the street, you know all the answers but nobody asks you the questions, and Saturday night's sitting in the rocking chair with the lights out for economic reasons, perhaps thinking about all the mistakes you made in life, but thinking about the article "Look Back" or 22 years ago -- they still didn't go back far enough for you to recognize much of what they say. Many times this will start you thinking about the future; just think, with penicillin, electric lights, TV dinners, Sunday church, the few classmates still living and not having it nearly as good as you. You can select what you wish to watch on TV, you can peel potatoes to fry, bake, boil as you wish.

I spent this past Sunday afternoon phoning classmates all over the country and learned of some passing, but the mates were happy to talk for 15 minutes or longer.

These "older" people had things to tell me. One said they put up a memorial in honor of Bill Tuemler in front of a library and kids respected him. That was in Ohio. Another, in New York said they were happy but thought of old Brazil many times, having distant relatives still here.

I also phoned Norma Ames Pell, Carbon, and laughing I told her I wasn't flirting with her but just to say hi and, you know what -- everyone was wanting to know about our other classmates of '45. Lots ask about our class president and ask that I say hello for them. So, Kenny, you too are missed, though thought about by those "older" friends of long ago.

So, in closing, being old is a state of body, not mind. Think young, look to the future, for in a few short weeks we'll have spring and the great-grandchildren will want to hear those war stories, days of heavy snows, and when you owned your own horse.

"Sarge" Marion Eveland, Brazil