Life and Island Times April 30 2016

Marlow and his W had just picked up her port wine club shipment at UPS on Rockland Key Wednesday night, when they decided to visit the new CVS on Stock Island on their return home. This gargantuan, stick built store had been open for six months and was the largest new construction project in the lower keys during the past ten years.

CVS, Stock Island, Florida

Upon entering it, they knew that it was larger than any of the Publix and Winn Dixie supermarkets in the keys. It had everything one could want in terms of selection of food, drink, hard and soft goods. Its layout and signage were superior to anything they had seen in south Florida. Cashiers by the front door greeted every customer entering the store with “Welcome to CVS!” This “Waffle House” greeting made them feel warm and fuzzy.

Before wandering the store, they saw someone they knew but had not seen in over a year – Andrew.

At this point, an aisle in this CVS became a time travel machine.

Andrew is a bright late 20 something, who married the woman of his dreams five years ago. Together they have a daughter who is perfect in every way.

After exchanging heartfelt hugs, Andrew told of their family plans to relocate to the mainland, find new jobs and continue investing so they could retire before he turned 45. Andrew was much further along the same path Marlow charted for his family 38 years ago. In fact Andrew had set out on this trail when he was 19 years old. As they exchanged ideas and lessons learned, Marlow began to more deeply listen and observe Andrew.

It was then the Marlow met himself 40 years earlier.

Marlow’s 67-year-long life journey has resembled a roller coaster ride with ups and downs, twists and turns. This CVS conversation took place while he was hurtling around a sharp coaster curve, He found himself diving into a hall of mirrors. He was now confronted with his reflection in those mirrors wherever he turned.

This was different than the house of mirrors at Ohio State Fair. a young Marlow had walked through back in the early 1960s. This was a time machine version.

Meeting the young Marlow did not make the old Marlow feel like he should act like a parent by explaining to his young self what would be good for him. This was an instant kinship of equals. Marlow found himself smiling and energized by Andrew. He did not laugh at his younger self with his bushy hair and patchy beard.

Instead of lecturing his younger self, Marlow found his young doppelganger smarter, wiser, more confident than he was now forty years later.

Meeting your current self

As they parted company, W made Andrew promise to meet up with them again with his family, so they could say their goodbyes and stay in touch.

Copyright © 2016 From My Isle Seat