The other day, as old folks are wont to do, I was simultaneously philosophizing and reminiscing. I got on the subject of humbling experiences and a couple of those which I had immediately came to mind.
1. Late in World War II, I was drafted and the receptionist in our office arranged a farewell reception for me. Then I went off to do my duty while Mary Kay and the kids settled in with her parents. About 2 years later, having been discharged, I went over to the office to get my old job back. I walked into the lobby and the same receptionist was there. I said "Hi Mary," and she said "Hi." I looked around the lobby and said "Well, it's good to be back." And after a slight pause, she said, "Have you been somewhere?" Out of sight, out of mind.
2. After I retired, Mary Kay and I opened a public accounting office in Thousand Oaks, CA. One of our tax clients, whom we considered to be an elderly lady (she was probably in her 70s), liked to drop in and chat with Mary Kay. On one of these occasions, it developed that both of them were interested in collecting something (teacups maybe?). And she invited us over to see her collection. So one night after dinner, we went over to her apartment. She served us coffee and dessert and when we were finished, she got up and said "Come on Mary Kay, I'll show you my collection," and started down the hall with Mary Kay following. She didn't say anything to me, so I stayed put. She took several steps, paused, half-turned, and said, "What's-his-name can come to if he wants to." Sometimes you make an impression, sometimes you don't. And so it goes.
