I have a friend who lives in a senior residence. He was 93 in Sept. I phone him 3 or 4 nights a week. He's quite lonely and enjoys a chat. He's one of the brighter people I ever met so he's interesting to visit with. The photo below is for his 93rd birthday.
In each phone call he has something very interesting to talk about. He likes politics and science. He was an engineer.
Last night he told me that his former high school had contacted him about his 75 th anniversary from finishing high school. That number just about blew me over. They were contacting as many former students and teachers as they could find. And guess what? They found one of his teachers still living at 105. Mike was pretty happy about this information. I thought it was a big number to finish high school 75 years ago. I finished high school 67 years ago. My numbers don't compare with his.
At the present time Mike doesn't have plans to attend the reunion as they don't have dates or anything else arranged at this time.
None of my former teachers are living.
I doubt if any of my former teachers are still living. I don't remember having any young teachers and I graduated high school almost 63 years ago.
ReplyDeleteYou are a good and faithful friend to Mike, calling him as often as you do.
63 years ago finishing high school you could very easily have a former teacher or two living.
DeleteI graduated in '72, and most all my friends are gone. I'm really surprised and bummed. Sounds like your buddy is still going strong. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteHis head is sharp but he has some serious physical problems.
DeleteHow nice that you visit Mike. You really do a good service and I wish more would follow the example. Loneliness is one of the things plaguing many people today and they are not just old people I might add. It's amazing that he could potentially make a 75th high school reunion and that one of his teachers is still alive. Simply amazing.
ReplyDeletePeople don't look very happy in these senior residences.
DeleteThat must have given your friend a great boost. I hope he manages to attend his reunion.
ReplyDeleteMike was very happy about this event. I'm sure he will be at the reunion.
DeleteIt does seem like people are living longer, it is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteI guess that means they are living healthy lives.
Take care, have a great day!
Mike's had good quality of life until about 5 years ago. He was living independently.
DeleteSome people just keep on ticking and in good shape too.
ReplyDeleteNow he has some serious physical issues but quality of life was very good until about 5 years ago.
DeleteA teacher alive at 105! Wow. Your friend is fortunate to live into his 90s with his mind in tact.
ReplyDeleteAnybody at 105 is amazing.
DeleteBut you are the former teacher of many and you're living which I'm sure they are happy about!
ReplyDelete3 or 4 calls a week is a good amount, that's a close friendship.
Red, do you know Josiah Hein?
He's very popular on social media, his whole account is about being a Canadian in Australia.
I was surprised he's from Red Deer
No I don't know of him. Wow! I will look this guy up. We have many teacher exchanges with Australia. I have a former student across the street who is 65.
DeleteThose are amazing numbers to report even though it’s hard for me to wrap my head around them! Both you and him are an inspiration to me and remind me to stay interested and up to date with what is going on!
ReplyDeleteMike was physically active and skated until close to 80.
DeleteNow I am impressed even more! If I play my cards right, maybe I will be able to skate for many more years!
DeleteHow good of you to keep in touch!
ReplyDeleteHe's an interesting character. I taught his daughter.
DeleteWell, your link just took me to the Blogger reading list so I didn't see any old building photos...
ReplyDeleteIt's nice that you keep in touch with Mike and I'm sure he appreciates your phone calls, Red.
I will check this link.
DeleteThat is amazing! Happy Birthday to Mike!
ReplyDeleteHe was quite happy about this birthday.
DeleteWe may have had some weird weather, but this seems like actual normal weather to me..
ReplyDeleteThat's changes to the extreme.
DeleteSome make a century. Others are out for a duck. I have a score in the seventies. That's when you hope for more, but it's still a useful innings. (cricket analogy)
ReplyDeleteIt's quality of life that really matters.
DeleteWhat an amazing story. Hard to believe his teacher is still alive too. Hopefully they will meet each other and have a fantastic conversation about the old school days.
ReplyDeleteMike will be there but he's not sure about the teacher.
DeleteWow. That is an amazing story. Too bad someone can't rig up some sort of 'zoom' with the teacher.
ReplyDeleteYou know what? You've got a good heart. I will bet that your phone calls mean a great deal to Mike.
What an amazing story! And how wonderful of you to take the time to keep in contact with this interesting man. It's incredible that he knows his 105 year old teacher is alive right now. I don't know what happened to any of my teachers, except for one. She was my typing teacher and turned out to be the aunt of a friend I met in tai chi a few years ago. She wrote to tell me to go into teaching when I was in college.
ReplyDeleteBut don't you find that our bodies start to fall apart when we get up there? I' young by comparison, finished high school only 58 years ago.
ReplyDeleteHow nice that you stay in touch!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if I'll see that birthday. If so, I'll be so blind I won't be able to do anything but eat and sleep.
ReplyDeleteYup, I graduated from high school 67 years ago too! I was just telling my wife today how I was kind of surprised to see that I had a gathering of several good friends and their wives for my 75th birthday....TEN years ago! I figured that might be my slowing down age but here I am pushing 85 (like you) and still ticking.
ReplyDelete