Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

I remember how long it took me to stop writing a “7” on checks when we entered the ‘80’s. All of a sudden, 1970 is 50 years ago. I had just started getting used to being a teenager when I turned 20 in 1973. Fast forward to … wait! It sure did go forward, fast. I was always so busy trying to achieve and build for my future, while raising a family, that the days just flew by. And now here I am in the future.

When you’re a kid in high school in 1970, all you hear is “You’ve got to plan for the future!” The only problem was that we didn’t know where the present ended and the future began. It all seemed to mush into each other. I remember being given the opportunity to start an IRA, or a 401-K. I’d be thinking, “Retirement? I’m only 20 years old I don’t have to think about that yet.” But it came a lot faster than I thought.

Last week I called my best friend who just moved to North Conway, NH. After about a 45 minutes we realized something. We had spent most of time comparing aches and pains and doctor visits and medications. We briefly touched on the old days but spoke mostly about how to be more comfortable and pain free and how to help keep the doctors happy.

We are so busy trying to pay bills, raise children, and keep the boss man (or woman) happy. I don’t remember making the transition from kid to adult. Deadlines, agendas and day to day responsibilities cloud the fact that we are supposed to be enjoying life. The only life we get.

I never really strived for financial goals. I wanted to not have to stress out about every little thing. I’m still stressing, but I’m more aware of my need for calm. But there’s always a dilemma of some kind or another that pops up. I’ve discovered that it’s called … life. We get no handbook, no guide and no roadmap to life. We are just tossed into the sea of humanity without a life preserver.

Remember 1999, when everyone thought the millennium was going to be a train wreck? Computers were supposed to stop, and there was even fear of the end of the world happening. 2000 came and went without a hitch. People are always worrying too much to simply enjoy the present.

I’ve watched the 60’s turn into the 70’s, the 70’s turn into the 80’s and so on, and now it’s 2020. Are you kidding me?

Resolutions have never worked for me, so I’m setting small goals for myself. I’m going to try to not flip anyone off anymore. I’m going to try not roll my car window down to yell at people. I’m going to try not to drive slower when someone is tailgating me. Nah, scratch that one. That’s my favorite go to move.

When old friends talk we always end the conversation with, “We’ll get together soon!” But “soon” comes and goes too fast and sometimes it never comes. The “would’ve, could’ve, should’ves” are the worst. There comes a time when we should just do it. One of my dad’s favorite sayings was, “What the hell are you waiting for?”

In years past, we celebrated New Year’s Eve with bands and friends at Johnny D’s, The Surrey Room, Holiday Inn, Khoury’s State Spa and my favorite, The Embassy Lounge. One of my best memories was one New Year’s Eve when my band played at The Dilboy Post. There was so much Chinese food leftover that I took it home and ate it for a week. I’ll never forget it. We had a plastic gallon container of duck sauce.

As I said, I don’t remember making the transition from kid to adult. As I’m sitting here watching The Three Stooges, I’m starting to think it hasn’t happened yet. Maybe this year. Maybe not.

So Happy 2020 to everyone. Let’s not forget to enjoy today, while planning for tomorrow.