Friends of Dave #352: 🔥 old people are hot 🔥
Like The Freight Train, the battle against pumpkin spice chugs along...
Friends, I’m pleased to report that the assault on pumpkin spice is reaching new levels.
If you skipped last week and the previous week, you missed out on the building narrative that modern civilized society has gone overboard, perhaps hitting the tipping point, with all things pumpkin spice.
That narrative was boosted this week by a missive from Mr. Deadpool Wrexham himself, Ryan Reynolds, and the folks at Aviation Gin that sends a loud a clear message supporting my position.
Take a minute and a half to enjoy:
Moving on…
Long time FoDs might remember that in this space, now over four years ago, I shared an original poem I wrote called The Freight Train (I also subsequently shared it on LinkedIn).
I happened to write it at a time when my kids, who were then just growing into young adults, were each struggling with challenges in different areas of their lives. Most of the obstacles they were facing were normal, growing up type obstacles. Some were bigger than that.
Looking back, this was one of the most difficult periods for me both as a parent and person. You see, I tend to be what you call a fixer. Sort of like Vanilla Ice….but thankfully without the dance moves, the cheesy haircut and 90s parachute pants.
If there is a problem, yo, I’ll solve it…..I’ve always been that way in both my personal and professional lives. I’m sure some of you are probably fixers in one way or another as well.
But eventually fixers like me get to a point, particularly with their kids or loved ones, where they realize that we can’t solve everything. No matter how painful it may be to watch or guilty or helpless we may feel. The fixer needs to back off, stay in their lane, and let the people that they think may need the fixing solve their own problems themselves.
So I wrote this poem not only to inspire my kids, but, admittedly, to make myself feel better. It was me giving myself permission to let my kids own their journey and remind myself that they don’t need me to fix them — they are resilient.
Here it is:
The Freight Train
A father sits with his young children as they play on the porch.
They can hear a deep whistle, clanging bell and heavy rumbling in the distance
Getting louder and more distinct with each piston chug.
Do you hear that, kids?
THAT is a freight train.
You see, a freight train may not be the most sleek nor fast nor polished machine.
It may not bring people to the grandest destinations from their wildest dreams.
It may not be the most famous nor have cheering crowds and brass bands awaiting it when it arrives at its final destination.
But each freight train is unique and it is special.
It is able to make sure that lots of different things,
Big or small, heavy or light, living and important things
Get to the places that people need them to go.
Everyday it chugs.
Navigating steep hills, deep valleys, over bridges and around bends
Through light or dark, rain or snow,
Through howling wind, bitter cold and desert heat.
Sometimes it may need to stop and have another train help it carry its load.
Sometimes it may stop and offer to help other trains carry their loads.
Sometimes it may need rest.
Sometimes it may need encouragement.
Sometimes it may even break down.
Sometimes it may need love.
But through it all, a freight train finds a way to do what it was built to do.
And if we pay close attention sometimes it signals to us that it is okay.
You see, a freight train is strong, powerful and capable of doing amazing things.
And once it sets out to where it needs to go,
A freight train cannot easily be stopped!
The father then brings his children close to him and whispers:
Do you hear that, kids?
THAT is you.....YOU are a freight train.I was reminded of this poem this week, now over four years since I originally composed it, because our kids each signaled to us that they are okay.
They keep chugging, through the dark and stormy weather, over the hills and around the bends. They are proving to be freight trains in their own way — strong, powerful and capable of doing amazing things.
And so are you, Friends. Sure, you might need encouragement or to rest sometimes. You might even need to remind yourself to let someone else help you carry your load. But you will find a way to do what you were built to do — because that’s just what freight trains do.
You know one thing I’m convinced freight trains DON’T do though?
Order pumpkin spice lattes….that’s my story and I am sticking to it!
XOXO
Dave
And now a few things to make you smarter…
Global beer consumption exceeded 185 million kiloliters in 2021, enough to fill more than 74,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. So, which countries drink the most beer?
This graphic uses data from Kirin Holdings to compare global beer consumption by country. The Japanese company has been tracking beer consumption around the world since 1975.
The history of beer dates back thousands of years, and it has helped shape the course of civilization. At times, beer has even saved lives. There are so many amazing facts about beer that you probably don’t know – and they’ll definitely give you a deeper appreciation for this magical elixir.
Business is booming for investors in college housing, who poured $22.9 billion into the industry last year. But for students, the picture isn’t as rosy.
The Wilford Brimley line is a concept on the internet whereby people who reach the age of 52 are compared to actor Wilford Brimley in the film Cocoon, which appeared in theaters when he was also 52.
The anecdotal evidence is conclusive: Old people are hotter now….another “W” for Gen-X…alright alright alright.