50 Years!

Last night I attended a 50th anniversary party.  The couple went to elementary and high school with my dad and actually introduced him to my mom.

As with most events I attend, I hoped I would end up with some good blog fodder by the end of the evening.  I thought I might explore the juxtaposition of a 50 year wedding anniversary and the 50+% divorce rate in this country.  As it happens this bloody heat has zapped every ounce of intellectual thought from my brain, and so I’m forced to just share two of the night’s funniest conversations.

I attended this party with my “Aunt” Betty, a dear family friend.  Since my dad is gone and my mom is in Hawaii, the two of us were happy to make an appearance together so we’d have someone to talk with.  Betty is a retired teacher, as is the wife of the happy couple, as were most of the people in attendance.  Upon arriving, Betty spotted many people that she had taught with or had known over the years in her school district. As these retired district employees are getting up there in age, health (mentally and physically) is a challenge for some.

#1 - Marion, another dear family friend passed away last year.  However, when one of these retired teachers saw Betty she said, “Oh, I hear Marion is here.”  Um, no, Marion passed away last year.  “Are you sure, someone said she was here?”  I’m sure, she passed away.  “Did I know that?”

#2 The husband of one of my former teachers approached Betty at our table to say hello.  He started off the conversation with, “I  was surprised  to see you here.  I'd  heard you'd  died.”   Apparently this man keeps a social security list and crosses off names when people die.  He said he’d have to go home and check his list for Betty’s name.

I think about how most of the friends I socialize with nowadays are those I work with.  Last night was probably a peek into the future.  In another 30 years or so, I may be celebrating a friend’s 50th anniversary when someone asks me if I’m dead.  Sounds like fun!