Old Fool

From the unquiet mind of C.S. Lyrics,

I had a great time at a family function yesterday. The company was good, the food was good, and we were celebrating a worthy event (my cousin Drea, graduated from college). When my brothers, cousins, and I get together, to be honest....... SOMEBODY is going to get laughed at! Not in a mean spirited way, but we are just some dudes that can find humor in just about any situation. The ladies of the family, when they are not laughing with us, just walk by shaking their heads when we get started. They already know what's going on. Yesterday, one of the funniest moments centered around an older family membet of mine, who shall remain nameless. When he was a younger man, he was a renowned skirt chaser, everyone knew it, and found humor in the fact that his interest could be piqued towards someone of the fairer sex in a matter of moments. Unfortunately, the gentleman is now 80 plus, and he hasn't really changed that much........ mentally that is. Like many other 80 plus people he labors to get around a little bit. Not in itself very funny..... but... stick with me. The event was held in a party room at a senior citizens complex..... yeah you see where I'm going. Eventually, an older lady who knew one of my Aunts, walkered her way into the party, with or without oxygen mask, I can't recall. She made the mistake of speaking to the older gentleman I referred to earlier. He began his peacock strut around the party room, mostly in her vicinity. Now when I say peacock strut, I am speaking of HIS intention. Our perception of his strut, was a mix between Fred Sanford and a person who has on shoes 3 sizes too small (his shoes fit perfectly). I am really close to the older gentleman, and when I met him in the hallway at one point, he said to me, "Hey buddy, I'm out here in the hallway trying to keep from getting into trouble in there. Lord have mercy boy, these women just stay after you." At which I WANTED to reply, "If trouble came and sat on your lap, I think you would probably have to ask it to get up so you could breathe." But I did not say this. Like eveyone else I humored him and helped him believe a woman, who hardly ever looked his way after making his acquaintance briefly, was actually paying him some attention. It was a very funny moment. The gentleman is funny anyhow. I truly believe he could've been a comedian, and prospered in the industry. Also it was kind of sad. I will be honest. I love women, and women love me. Sometimes if the right person enters a room, I similarly take immediate notice. Wouldn't it be sad if I didn't age gracefully enough mentally to know when it's over? Older people with filthy mouths and minds are naturally funny to me. But if we really think about it couldn't it be an eye opener? A reminder that age itself does'nt change us, but we must change ourselves. We should get older and more wise. Sharing that wisdom with younger people, not sharing filthy stories, or strutting to their amusement. God help me realize when the cool breeze that follows me into a room, has turned into a room full of lukewarm sighs of irritation. Because after all, the only thing worse than a fool, is an old fool.