Never Say Never Come to Change September28th 2023

     Living at what is arguably the premier resort in our province has provided us with a wonderful social life.  Social life...... truth be told,  we always had a pretty decent social life.   In spite of unending evening and night shifts and with one in every four weekends off,  we enjoyed many many great times with friends we met along the way.    We were looking to continue a social life when we came here in 2009.  We joined a golf club and I got into a Tuesday Morning Mens league.    It started there.  We have had a pretty solid group with whom we  have come to know and appreciate very much.  Golf, cocktails, movie nights, parties for all occasions.   As routine as our life of leisure can be,  there is always change.  These days, change comes in the form of health issues.  It concerns our children's adult problems,  and our grand children's triumphs and tribulations.  But change there is.   At our age, it often doesn't come easy.

     We do dinner after golf on Thursday evenings all summer.   Last week we used the occasion to have a couple with whom we have shared or social life for the last 14 years over for one last cocktail.  They are moving to Calgary to be closer to their children because of health concerns.  At the end of the night my friend gave me a hug and said  "Never Change."   To tell the truth,  I don't know if I have ever received a nicer more sincere compliment.  

     As flattered as I was,  my immediate thought was "Well I just turned 70, don't think there is any danger of me changing now."  They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks.   But as in all stereo typical isms,  change does not elude old dudes.   It is an evolution we cannot escape without becoming unhappy, bitter, angry,  and at times, dangerous.    1974 was fun...... in 1974.    You can bring back bell bottoms, and faux leather,  and (Please Please) Harris Tweed sport coats and three piece suits.  But you can't bring back chauvinism, apartheid, segregation,  residential schools, the Indian act, asbestos insulation,  imperial measurement, or DDT.   

    Just because it is inevitable, doesn't mean us old dudes find change easy.   But sometimes we have to look back at the good old days to see just how important change was.   How many good people we believed we had the privilege to judge because they were different than us.  How many times we were exposed to (and exposed people to) health problems and injury.    We all remember  having the freedom our children don't have.   Freedom we had in a country with half the population.  When we celebrated our religious holidays assuming everyone did the same.  It goes on and on.   Problem is,  I don't know if we miss those times,  or if we miss the times as we remember them.  

     As flattering as it is someone thinks I should never change?  Well the truth is that changing will never stop.   Not for me,  not for anyone who wants to improve.   And if change ever does stop?  Well let it be at a time when Harris Tweed is at the peak of men's fashion.