Last “Person” Standing
Author: Bill Garwood
Last “Person” Standing
Many times, in life you will have groups of people who you gather with or just show up at a place regularly. These people are subtlety important to you, they are great to see and talk to, but they are not (mostly) too important in your own life. They are friends and acquaintances, with whom you share a common interest. Simple pleasures in life are like this, but as life goes on…. for whatever reason these people drop out, leave or pass away. This leaves a void in our lives and we miss them. Sometimes they have just moved away and we can talk to them on the phone or as many of us do on Facebook.
However, I have recently been told, “Damn, Bill, you are the last man standing”. At first, I didn’t know what my local Tavern owner was talking about, until he explained, “Remember a few years ago, when the “Morning Crew” was all these guys?” As I have told you several times before, I like to go into the Fish Tale Tavern, for my morning Pepsi. A few years ago, there were about 6 or 8 folks who came in for coffee or a soda, or the occasional beer/drink. This was a regular gathering where we all exchanged the “Wisdom of the Ages.” Most just called it "shooting the breeze" (or words to that effect.)
Now the people who we all knew are mostly gone: Homer, Paul, Weed, Dancer, John, Harry, Jimmy, and a few more whose memory will always be a part of our history. In the Military we always say: “To our comrades, still on Patrol”. Rest easy friends. And to those who are still around, why haven’t you called?
There will be others and when we are gone there will be those who remember US, hopefully with a grin and a story about the things we said or did that will make others smile. NO, I’m not leaving yet there is too much Saturday night whiskey to be drank. To those who don’t share in these thoughts or gatherings of friends, get some! Make some memories, enjoy the company of like-minded folks. In other words, “Make some tracks in the sand!” Leave behind a few well-placed memories, most folks will leave precious little from their time on this mortal coil. You need to LIVE! An old phrase (and I have a million of them as you know.) is: "die while you’re living, you can’t live while you’re dead”.
So, GO! Out in the mountains feel the breeze from the mountain passes and bask in our early spring sunshine. Enjoy all there is to being here in Montana! Cheers.
