Working today and I bumped into Ray the Postie who was in the same school and year as me so aged mid fifties. Looked like Freddy Mercury when he was at school, goofy teeth. Nice chap.
Ray tells me about some of our school year folk. Viz.
Derek. Dead.
Andy (top at school sports), brain tumour has a stairlift.
Billy (excellent at cross country), drugged to bits, stroke.
Successful Kev - big house 5 acres management company, stroke, wheelchair.
Oh well says I at least you and I seem ok.
Look at this he says - pulls up his long shorts to reveal knee supports - he's due a knee replacement and has arthritis in the other; split up from his wife, house being repossessed on Friday, living in a bedsit.
"What a F-ing life!" he says ruefully "I'm truly F'ed" he says shrugging his shoulders. "Good job I never had kids eh?"
"Never mind" says I "You've got your Postie bonus to look forward to, have a holiday!"
"Can't touch it for 5 years" he says, I'll probably be dead by then; if not I'm gonna blow it on the horses!" Laughs and says "See you later! Take it steady!"
I look at DtM and say "That's cheered me up I feel I've done quite well out of life now."