Having retired and signed up for Social Security has gotten me thinking. Thinking, about age and how folks feel about you when you get older. History has no memory if left unintended.

 I wanted to visit Billy’s Pond in the Owen’s Valley. On the way, I stumbled upon this E. Clampus Vitus historical road maker for the Kearsarge Station. There was a marker, a railroad sign, and about 20 yards of the original track. It was very unassuming. Knowing the history of the Carson & Colorado it seemed inconceivable. This was all there was to remember it.

 We tend to look at old folks as how they are in the present rather than the way they were when they were young.

 I remember my grandfather. We would visit him every Sunday at the retirement home. Even though I was young, I enjoyed the visits. Parkinson’s had taken its toll on him as he had a hard time speaking and his hands shook. There were flashes of fire that broke through with witty humor and a spark in his eyes. One day on the way home, my Dad asked what I thought of grandpa. I said he was a cool old man. My Dad then began telling me stories of what Grandpa had done in his life. He fought in WWI, he had owned more than 20 motorcycles and was a carpenter building houses. I never looked at grandpa the same way ever again.

 I attended the funeral of a friend’s Mom. She had health problems that slowed her down. At her funeral, every eulogy talked about how:

• She liked to entertain

• That her house was always open for company.

 They all remembered the “White Elephant Gift Exchange” she always had during the holidays. As they talked about that game it had the same level of honor as the Super Bowl.

 What to make of the Kearsarge station marker? Live life large and with a smile. That way when folks see you when you are older, they remember the deeds and traditions of your youth.

 In other words, make sure you leave 20 yards of track for people to remember and smile.