Long Time No Gab

Doug called me yesterday.

I didn't have time to talk as I was on my way to a client meeting.

I called him back in the afternoon and caught him out for his afternoon walk in Centennial Colorado.

As close as we could figure we had not spoken to each other for at least 20 or 25 years. True, we sort of followed each other on FaceBook and there were sporadic e-mails over the years. But we had not spoken in all that time.

He called because a former client of ours when we worked together in a Denver Ad agency had reached out to him the day before and since the three of us were young, single and living in the era of Mad Men my name had come up. So he called for what he called a "totally unscheduled gab fest."

We fell into that timeless place where true friends meet. It doesn't matter how long you have been apart. The times you spent together are just yesterday. You finish each other's stories about those halcyon times. You help each other remember and even make the stories a little better. You talk to each other as pals.

He's had both of his knees replaced and had some great advice for me about how to do it. (One at at a time and have someone to take you home and stay with you for a day or two and get off the pain pills as fast as possible.)

He's finishing up a downsizing move as he lost his wife last year. He's tired of signing multiple times and just wants to get on with it. I'm in the process of getting a four bedroom two office home ready for the market (one tends to rattle around in something this size after a divorce). The joys of home ownership is not something either of us is into.

I never met the love of his life. I met the first two and must say this wonderful woman was what I would have wished for him. Their years together may have come in the twilight but they were rich with that feeling that only a soul mate can bring.

He was a groom's man at my wedding. I can't believe the powder blue tuxedos we wore. He understood what 37 years in the ad business and consulting can do to a marriage and that my bride and I were lifelong friends but somewhere along the way no longer lovers.

His kids are grown and in fact he's a grandfather and will be again shortly. I only ever had my daughter but she makes me incredibly proud. She's a PhD in Engineering and Microbiology and is currently the Deputy CIO of the Navy.

We talked about how there are so many more ways to keep in touch in the world today but how just about all of them feel like they are at arms length. We felt more connected in a telephone conversation. We could hear the tone of voice. The pauses existed in time. A question could hang in the air. Our reactions could slide over the other's as we synced a memory. Talking brought us back together. It was personal. It was one to one.

We agreed, not another long time, no gab.

"