Eugene

I have been really proud of myself lately for developing a love for going to the gym. It's amazing. Susan and I look back at the times when she used to ask me if I wanted to go with her in the mornings. My reply was always "No thanks, I like being fat today." and we are both really laugh at that. Now that I have time off, I find myself looking forward to going to the gym and spending time there actually taking care of myself. I do want to improve my race times, but at the same time, I want to make myself stronger. 

This morning after a bike, short run and a little bit of weights I turned to leave and found myself talking to a man in the hallway at SSC. He was a great bit older then I am, actually, maybe even older than my parents, but in a short amount of time we realized we had quite a bit in common. He never told me his age, but he did share he had been married for 47 years. His oldest son is 47 and his youngest is 37. He was one of 8 children and was a teacher and a principal before retiring. He worked for 37 years and 11 days and at his retirement party, a student he used to work with showed up.  This student had gone from being trouble and forced to attend 2pm-7pm school every day of the week - to a Psychiatrist. He had actually made something of himself due to the influence of Eugene. 

Eugene mentioned his parents were married for 75 years, his mother was 93 when she died and his father was a day shy of turning 101 when he passed away.  Eugene shared with me what he felt made his marriage work. He said "I look at it this way, if you make it to 47 years - you've done a pretty good job." I would assume so, Eugene. After all - who would stick around for that long if they felt otherwise? 

Who knows if I will ever "bump" into Eugene again. He did begin our conversation asking me if I was a soccer player. When I replied "no" and asked why, he told me I looked like one. I guess I really am starting to play the role.