The decade of the nineties has arrived, as I then approached 40-years of age. One hundred years before it was known as the “Gay 90’s,” a term that is no longer politically correct. (See Post #1890). “The 1990s is often remembered as a decade of relative peace and prosperity: The Soviet Union fell, ending the decades-long Cold War, and the rise of the Internet ushered in a radical new era of communication, business and entertainment,” according to a description in Wikipedia. However, it was the end of my first marriage that lasted for 27-years. In that timeframe, we had lived in Elkhart, IN; Edwardsburg, MI; Union, MI; Ft. Wayne, IN; and Indianapolis. We also bought a condominium on Siesta Key, FL, near where I live now. 

As I look back through the years, it was often a struggle to make ends meet, living above our means. The divorce then cost me the home and condo, as we went our separate ways. As I now live a comfortable retirement life, it all has a happy ending, but everything I worked for fell apart in the 90s. Friendships ended and the only winners were the attorneys. I was running on and off at this time to relieve the stress, but “The Streak” had yet to start. As of this morning, it stands at 4,482 days (13.26 years). I was joined part way through my 3.1 mile route by a neighbor acquaintance who is younger and faster, so I pushed to keep up, or rather he slowed down for my benefit. 

I went to another Braves Spring Training game yesterday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Rays. A neighbor provided the tickets and drove me to the game on his golf cart. It was actually quite humorous when he ignored the commands of the police directing traffic, but he had forgotten his hearing aids and honestly didn’t hear. I yelled in his ear during the game, while a mentally challenged young man on my other side made fart noises by blowing on his arm and incessantly repeated the same unintelligible words over and over. It made me realize how lucky I was to have raised a healthy son, while admiring the father’s patience along with his willingness to get his child to a game despite the behavior. 

Another month has gone by as the calendar flips over to April. I sent a note to a friend that I hired 32-years ago on April Fool’s Day. It turned out to be a beneficial career move for both of us, as he now nears retirement. A year ago on this day we packed for our move from Portland, Oregon to our new home in Venice Florida, hoping for no pranks along the way. Unfortunately, my wife had to deal with kidney stone surgery in route and our furniture took seven weeks to get here, but we arrived safely and have been happy ever after. As is the tradition, before the day is done, I will also place an annual call to another friend to wish them a Happy April Fool’s Day.