Everyone told me that I’d never forget Eddie when I met him, and they were right. Serving many years as a publicly elected official, Eddie had developed his skill for telling jokes and stories. His story-telling and ability to create a little nonsense with those around him are skills of which legends are made. Everyone knew that Eddie meant no harm to anyone and had the best of times when he was in his “element,” that is, when he had a crowd to which he could play. Everyday Eddie would come to the senior center and tell us a joke. They weren’t always new jokes, but were quite amusing. I have little capacity to remember even the best of his jokes, so I can not repeat even one. But my memories of Eddie are of a man who loved to make people smile, who loved people, and who was loved and admired in return. At the time I knew him, Eddie had just retired from an elected county job and its duties. Public life can be exhausting and yet for someone who loves to tell jokes and stories, the spotlight of public life is also very alluring. At the senior center, Eddie was often in the spotlight. I think the reason so many people attended the senior center at times, was to hear what Eddie might say next. As the Director of the senior center when Eddie attended, I often wished I could clone him and others like him. Eddie made all my worries seem insignificant. I envied his ability to sparkle and captivate others with his humor and sense for fun. Perhaps if I could bottle his enthusiasm and love of people, turn it into a silvery dust, and sprinkle over the heads of less fun loving souls, it would have the same effect as cloning. I asked Eddie once if he had his life to live over again, what, if anything would he do differently. I’m not sure how I expected him to answer, but Eddie’s response to my innocent question was quite surprising. Eddie wished that he’d taken better care of his teeth. I’m not sure if his reply was another one of his jokes but he said it so seriously. It was not so much that Eddie had dental problems, but rather I believe that it was his way of commenting on the advantages that young people have today. Eddie had grown up in a time when dental care was a luxury, not as common place like today. I, on the other hand, grew up with fluoridated water, easy access to a toothbrush and paste, regular dental appointments, and the skill of an affordable dentist. Eddie’s response wasn’t earth shaking, but it was thought provoking. It made me think about the world of science, of everyday goods and technology to which I had become accustomed without enough thought or thankfulness. Today we use computers, television, air-conditioning, motorized lawn mowers, pocket calculators, and water powered tooth brushes. Of course, the younger generation takes all of these for granted not realizing the advantages of modern technology and what difficulties and hardships those who came before us must have endured. Eddie’s response was thought provoking in another sense, also. How many of us have only one regret of such clear and simple dimensions as we look back on our lives? If indeed that was his one regret, Eddie had lived life well, and had made the right choices for himself in both his public and private life. He might envy the good teeth of younger people, but younger people might well envy Eddie’s sense of purpose and satisfaction with his life. After responding to my question, Eddie told a joke or two unrelated to my question. He may have never again thought about my question of him, but I have never forgotten what Eddie taught me about the wonderful way he lived his life telling innocent jokes and fascinating stories about life lessons learned well. ### |
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