The best years of my life were those when Sol and I were in our 50’s and 60’s. Usually, when folks get to that big 50 point in life, they pretty much assume, well, it’s all over. Not so. That’s just when life begins for many of us. How quickly time flies by and you hold only a memory of some friends or family members with whom you experienced some of those life experiences people refer to as, “you have to have been there” to really appreciate. And you smile with your eyes leaking.
A couple of times stand out in my memory that were so hilarious that you just had to have been there to appreciate. Sol loved golf. But, honestly, he wasn’t much good at it. Fair, at best in the overall picture. But through the years he did hit some awesome drives and make a few good putts. Ray said Sol was the only person he ever played golf with that would actually run up to the tee. I think he really must have had a problem with hyperactivity because he never could just take a stroll anywhere. He was always in a hurry, which probably explained why he wasn’t the best golfer. He just had a hard time relaxing those strong muscles!
One year, we were invited to Augusta to my cousin and her husband’s house for the week-end. The four of us went for out for dinner on Friday evening, and got up the next day ready for a round of golf at West Lake Country Club. Sollie was so excited. He couldn’t wait to get out on that beautiful course. Our foursome was Don and Sollie and Tommie and me. (She and I just went along pretty much for the ride, but did attempt to play while we caught up on the news.) The guys mostly walked, and we drove the cart. Everything was going along pretty much as it should while Sollie would hurry up to tee off and Don would mosey out. We get along about the 5th or 6th hole and Tommie and I see the guys walking on up ahead. We just kind of waited and chatted while they went on up to their balls. As we sit there, we notice that they are kind of standing on the left side of the fairway staring down at the grass. They would shake their heads and walk about in a circle and shake their heads again. Whatever it was must have been pretty bad, since they weren’t playing their balls. So, we ride on up and they are gazing at a poor male grey squirrel all sprawled out with all fours up in the air. Dead as a doornail. Hit between the eyes by Sollie’s drive. Tommie and Don were too nice to really laugh much. They did snicker though. I laughed until I cried. Pool squirrel. As time went on, through the years, Don would tell Sollie that they needed to get together and go squirrel hunting.
Fast forward a few years later where we were in Santa Rosa Beach with our good friends for the week. Frankie and I spent the time shopping and Sollie and Ray went to the club to play some golf. They were only going to play nine holes so we dropped them off with our instructions to come back in a couple of hours. When we got back to pick them up, Ray staggered up to the car, holding an ice pack over his face and had a golf ball sized lump on his cheek! He was standing behind Sollie as he drove his ball and it ricocheted back giving Ray a shiner like you wouldn’t believe! He said, “damn, I need to wear a coat of armor if I ever play golf with Sollie again!” After that day, he was very careful where he stood when playing golf with Sol. But play they did. Many times, many years, and many laughs.
Yep, those years when we were empty nesters, retirement hopeful and enjoying being together with friends and family were indeed the best years of our lives!
