Good Days

The word "old' has squeezed its way between good days with generational consistency. Each generation has a way of looking back and describing a time when things were better; or at least one believes that things were better. The old bad days surely existed yet they rarely attract an audience. If you are fortunate enough to live a long life, there is a hope that you can look back fondly; recall goodness from yesteryear. That's pretty much this blog's intent - to capture some goodness that eventually will be days of old. 

In 1990, I was a co-founder of a lemonade stand meaning I was a 6-year-old who had to walk across the street to the neighbor's house, smile, and stand behind a table. There is entrepreneurial power associated with lemonade sales that has stood the test of time. There is no bad lemonade stand. Children customer service for potent yellow or pink sugar liquid is golden. In 2022, ambitious kids and kids at heart popped up a stand. 

This stand was special because the founding members of that 1990 stand were once again behind the table, 32 years later. A different neighborhood, a different generation, the same lemonade magic. Our collective kids (7 in total), blended marketing and antics for 3+ hours of business. I got to relive glory days with my old neighbors while my kids experienced lemonade glory in their neck of the woods. Glorious all around. The Brownstown community responded generously and graciously to the cause. The memory made will surely outlast the money. 

The following afternoon, my girls took to another stand - on the baseball field for the Johnstown Mill Rats. As part of their choir, Inclined to Sing, they belted out the National Anthem. It was a harmonious home run on a sunny afternoon. On that same field many sunrises before, I ran wild in parochial football majesty. Goosebumps pride watching my daughters sing and remembering pigskin pageantry. 

Watching Mill Rats baseball was enjoyable as youngsters played America's pastime sport. My eldest daughter retook the field in the 7th inning for a dental promotion - she cleaned third base with a gigantic toothbrush. This was the most thrilling dental work of her 7-year-old life. Thanks to the Mill Rats for providing Sunday afternoon entertainment. 

That evening we sat out on the Boulevard Grill deck, toasting to our weekend achievements. We have had many celebrations at this Southmont institution and now get to enjoy The Great Outdoors from their new perch. Same great food and service, new view. 

There is a belief that good news travels fast. Let's just keep it moving without worrying about speed. The kids will grow up fast enough. Us adults can benefit from slowing it down. Sip on some lemonade and let these good times roll.