Organ Recitals

My longtime friend is well-educated, interesting and a good conversationalist. We chat often about widely shared interests and events.

While younger than me, he’s about to retire. Which causes me great trepidation. It’s not that he’ll become less dear; I fear our conversations will markedly degrade.

While shop talk wasn’t always scintillating, we can no longer rely on it during any awkward silences. Since my retirement a few years back, I know I’m less interesting because, like many seniors, my priorities shifted.

It’s painful when your conversation prioritizes very personal minutia. In particular, when it spotlights one’s health. Our most recent chat was dominated by care complaints, ailment updates and unsettled prognoses.

Age clung to our interaction like a threatening shroud.

In a rough and tumble life, you always have an anecdote or revelation that can surprise and entertain. But as retirees, comfort, well-being and longevity narrow our thoughts and conversation.

So, I’ve decided to take positive action. From now on, I’ll highlight that evening’s menu. It may seem pathetic, but food, after all, is a universal interest. Isn’t it?