In 1972, we were sitting in the lunchroom at Wind Point Elementary School exchanging cans of snack pack pudding and discussing the Green Bay Packers. You notice I said “cans” of pudding. Plastic containers were still in the research and development stage at that point in our lives.

In 1972, we were carefree. We were mischievous. We were not interested in academics, but we appreciated the social aspects of school. We kept things hidden in our lockers that would have caused the more sensitive faculty members at our school to blush. We were known to sneak off to smoke in the “woods” after school. We were invincible. At least we thought that was the case…

In 1972, we gave little thought to the future. Perhaps that is not entirely true. I was going to be a wealthy entrepreneur with servants taking care of me at the sprawling manor where I planned to live. Some of my friends had plans to play for the Green Bay Packers professionally. You get the picture.

In 2012, I sat in the lunchroom with one of those same characters that I traded cans of pudding with years earlier. But the lunchroom that day was not at Wind Point Elementary School. We ate together in a lunchroom at a nursing home in our hometown. I looked on my friend’s tray to see if there was any pudding in a can…. There was no pudding and no trading…

In 2012, my childhood friend was suffering from brain cancer. He could no longer eat without assistance. His motor skills were not what they were 40 years ago. The illness ravaged his body. We reminisced about antics that took place decades ago. I took note of the fact that none of the nursing home employees going about their business were even born during the time frame we were discussing. That is probably a good thing. And statute of limitations is a good thing too…

In 2012, my friend grabbed my arm with his shaking hand. He looked me in the eye and told me he loved me. I chuckled to myself, because our 5th grade teacher forced us to say those words to each after we had gotten in a fist fight on the playground. We adamantly refused, but she insisted. She prevailed and we said the words. But there was vengeance flashing in our eyes! And I suppose I should include this little fact. That took place in 1972…. It took 40 years to fulfill that vow of love we expressed to each other in the 5th grade. I love you Steve. And I promise Mrs. Sheppard is not looking over my shoulder.

In 2012, Steve passed away. It has been 8 years since our lunch encounter at the nursing home. It was our final lunch together. Is there someone you need to fulfill a vow of love to today?