I started this morning by Googling “the future” and the first thing that popped-up was “the future is now old man,” as if the computer was trying to tell me something. “The future is now” quote apparently comes from the Time Machine movie when Alexander steps out in 2021 – not that far away any more!

I had a brief glimpse into the future as I set up a college savings account for my granddaughter (Class of 2036). I will be the 85-year old man drooling in the corner of her graduation party – if I’m lucky enough to be there. I’ll try to put a few bucks in there every year, although the accounts for my other two grand kids have actually lost money over the past four years. It seemed like such a good idea when I set them up, but at this rate these investments won’t be worth much when they’re old enough to go on to a future,higher education.

What all will happen in that 17-year span? Will we have accomplished most of our travel goals? It’s fun to think ahead, but it’s important to savor the present. Each day is precious, especially considering the friends and family that we’ll lose through the years. 17-years ago my wife I had just gotten married, so if I could live that time over again it would be wonderful. It’s just that the time went by so quickly, there seems so little left. I have to find a way to hold-on dearly.

Tonight we go see Mary Poppins Returns, another reminder that time passes by but in many ways it stays the same. The movie was originally made in 1964 when I was just a teenager. It was, in fact, released on my 13th birthday. Co-stars, Julie Andrews is now 83, and Dick Van Dyke 93, approaching immortality. My wife is really excited about the movie, one of her childhood favorites. It’s like we’re going back in time, long before we ever met, knowing of our future together.

The future starts now, old man. It will be an interesting holiday, blending new family and old. I will see my adopted sister, my wife’s sister, and what I believe to be four half-sisters. The mystery of my life may all come together or be filled with even more questions. The conversations will not be about the future but rather the past and how everyone fits together. The future may start now, but this old man is looking forward to the past.