STARTING AT ONE [SAT, 7-12-25]

BEYOND WINTER: The Irrelevant Musings of An Old Man—STARTING AT ONE [SAT, 7-12-25]

 

Daughter Katie told us about a little child who called Grandpa to wish him a happy birthday. “How old are you?” she asked. “62,” Grandpa replied. There was a long pause, and then she said, “Did you start at one?”

I recently wrote [6-20-25] about the importance of counting down. Counting up is important, too.  

When I was in grade school, at Lucretia Mott PS # 3, in Indianapolis, we received a weekly “newspaper.” It was about four pages, and often had illustrated articles about what life would be like in the future, especially the 21^st century. The accompanying drawings would show flying automobiles, and people hopping from car to school in space suits, and kids eating a school lunch that was just a little tablet.

I thought it would be neat to experience that, at least a car that could fly, and I asked my mother if she thought I would live to see the 21^st century. After all, I would be 63 when that century arrived, an almost impossible age to comprehend, even though I was starting the counting up at a bit higher than one. Mother allowed as how it was possible that I would see the 21^st century. She was right, even though it took a lot more counting up.

Old friend and former student, Dennis Heller, telephoned recently. He congratulated us on our 66^th wedding anniversary. Then, without meaning to, I think, he gave us a goal. He told us of a couple that has been married 81 years! That’s a lot of counting up! [1]

I have now counted up 25 years into this 21^st century, this century which once seemed so far away. A lot of stuff in those pictures in my grade school paper has happened. I’m disappointed about the flying cars, though.

We could really use flying cars. The roads are clogged. No one can get anywhere.

We used to have trains and buses. What happened to them? Wouldn’t it be better if we had good public transportation? Our idea of public transportation is a Uber, just another car to clog the roads and foul the air.

Yes, but we don’t have public transportation. Or flying cars. We have to live in the reality of our own time. There are no time machines. We get no choice about when we shall live. Only about how…

We all start at one, and count up…

John Robert McFarland

1] They are each 99.