PICTURE IT: Canada, 1990. A young fanboy is making his way through a crowded mall, an armful of comic books in tow, when he spots a balding, middle-aged father of three wrestling with his brood while his wife shopped.
The image burned its way into his consciousness while one thought resonated loud and clear…
“THAT POOR BASTARD! I’LL NEVER BE THAT GUY!”
THE PRESENT DAY: Guess who has become “That Guy”?
We all change and most of us evolve to the point where we heed our familial instincts; there’s no point in fighting it. But when you’re young you only see one side of things. When you’re young, family means…
- No freedom.
- No joy.
- One woman – forever!
- No sex! Which makes the preceding rule even more terrible!
Of course, if you make the right choice none of these conditions need come to pass. Pick a decent, loving mate and you’re suddenly unaware of any reservations you might have had; love separates you from selfish desires and allows you to enjoy the feeling that arises from living for something bigger than yourself. But you don’t know that when you’re young.
You don’t know anything, really.
Sounds like you’re a very lucky man in more ways than just having picked a great mate.
It’s very true! Thanks for the input, Gillian.
It’s in hindsight we see the errors or stupidity of our youth.
Well said, Jennifer.
As we get older we get wiser too. It is when we are able to say we really don’t know anything about anything that we can truly say we have aged well.
But yes! I do think you are lucky!!! You are one lucky man!
I have to agree with you, Woman!
When I think back, I cringe! “OMG was that me!” But if I could have seen into the future I probably would have said exactly the same! Life’s joke.
Life is full of surprises – and cruel jokes, right?
I’m the young fanboy at present, I suspect. And you’re right, I probably don’t know anything at all.
Future me is destined to be That Guy, I know it.
Don’t worry about it!
Love it! You’re view is the best! and um…I kind of like ‘that guy’. (-:
Cool!
👍👍👍👍👍
The day I told my nephew, when I was your age……
I BECAME THAT GUY!!!
Welcome to the club.