Yesterday I went to see two old friends. I had received a phone call last week from Ken, who told me he and Barb were spending the summer at Meadowbrook park, in their camping "fifth wheeler" trailer. Meadowbrook park has two large campgrounds in the woods that surrounds the park. The Park is on the edge of my little hometown, or village, Bascom, Ohio.

I grew up in that place, and the Park was part and parcel of my youth. It has a large swimming pool, one of the best in the world. It has everything a kid wants for a fun-filled playground each summer.

Now we are no longer "kids." Ken and I went to school together for twelve years. We were in the same graduating class. He and his wife have lived in Florida since the sixties. I have not seen them except for a few reunions years ago. So we met at the laundromat and I promised to drive to the Park on Saturday to visit.

I found space number 63 after several spins around the five-miles-per-hour park lanes. I parked next to the big multi-wheeled pickup truck and we sat outside the camper after I took a cursory look inside. I am very claustrophobic and campers drive me nuts!

Ken walks with a cane. He suffers from God knows what and has for a few years. He could not make our 50th reunion last year due to a replacement or some other surgery.

Barb never came outside the camper. She was in a reclining soft chair, covered to the chin with a throw blanket. She hardly said a word. Ken told me he nearly "lost her" last winter. I don't know what she suffers from, but it isn't good.

Barb was my very first girlfriend's best friend! I even dated Barb a couple times after Peggy and I split.

Ken and I sat and chatted for two hours before I left. On the way home I considered their health trouble and compared their shape to my own. I could only thank Providence that I am able to get around so well.

At Routes 224 and 18, I took a sudden right turn and drove straight to a golf course and played nine holes, alone, walking and carrying my bag on my shoulder.

So long as I can, I promised myself I would do that... be as capable and independent as I can. And keep thanking the source.

I may have many problems, but I am also very fortunate.