Wisdom from Old Hippies

I was coming out of Lowe’s in Kona and I see these two old (I’m 71 and they were older than me…so old) hippies waving at me.  They are in an old beat up hippy car.  They have on dirty tie dyed shirts.  They looked a mess.  What in the world did they want from me…other than a hand out.

I could not avoid the old hippies…they were parked right next to my pickup.  So, I smiled and said “Hi”.  The guy points at his eyes and then back at me and said they have their eye on me.  “We see you all over town….run, run, run…big hurry.  You even run inside the Lowe’s.  Listen up Uncle (a term for the older set here in Hawaii) , you not on the Mainland anymore…need to learn to slow down.”

I said…”Why don’t you step out of the car.”  He immediately replied..”I’m not looking for a fight.”  I said I was not looking for a fight either…just wanted to give him a hug.  He jumped out of the car…and his wife also wanted in on the action.  Big group hug.  I explained that I am a wired up guy use to getting a lot done in a day and that I have already have slowed down 50% and was working on doing better.  I would do better….and asked them to continue to give me feedback when they saw me around town.

I see them around town and we always smile or hug…a nice addition to my roster of characters and friends…people I wander through life with here in Kona.

So…cute little story…but let me continue with some additional reality…the ying to this yang.  Part of why I go through life at warp speed is I completely understand how short our time is here on earth…and how random  “times up” can be.  At my age, my friends are dying and dealing with health issues and I’m not getting a lot stronger or smarter and only slightly better looking.  I don’t feel the end is near for me…my dad lived to 94 and my mom is still with us at 97…but I also know it can all come to an end right this second.  I’m not freaked out by that fact…it is just the way it works.  I am a bit possessed with the notion that I want to get it all done in the time allotted.

So…when I get a bit wound up like I have been lately…lots going on with the current eruption here and our business and with travel and the like…I try to think of my old hippy friends.  Yes…there is a lot to get done…but there must also be adequate time to chill out and enjoy this fabulous life.  Glad I met them.  They provided me an important life lesson.  Now…all I have to do is find that lower gear.

Aloha.

 

 

5 Comments

  1. Jen Tiernay on June 13, 2018 at 12:30 am

    Well said, sir.



  2. leif lindgren on June 14, 2018 at 1:24 pm

    why dont you step out of the car ” i am not looking for a fight” neither am i , but i was hoping for a quick footrace



    • Don Hurzeler on June 16, 2018 at 1:05 pm

      A race would be nice. I usually have an ambulance follow me these days if I plan to do anything over walking speed. And trust me…I had those two old hippies covered in the race department. Aloha Leif.



  3. Marilyn Mers- Hardison on August 13, 2018 at 1:05 pm

    Just read your book”Smells Like Retirement ” in one sitting. Very funny, eye-opening and original. Thank you!



    • Don Hurzeler on August 13, 2018 at 1:19 pm

      Big thanks. Glad you enjoyed it. Aloha.