autozone to planet fitness, 5.16.24

i went and got my battery changed at autozone. the kid changing my battery asked me about the sequoia and if it was on a lift. i told him nah it wasn’t, but the wheels are a bit larger than the recommended so that might be why it looks a little taller. i ask him what he drives and he says he doesn’t have a car as he’s getting his license in the next two months. he says he’ll be working two jobs this summer to afford a car, which he either wants a luxury sedan or a truck. he then asks me if i go to north reading high school. that caught me way off guard, but i told him i didn’t. after he changes my battery i head to planet fitness for a workout. as i’m doing pull-downs, i hear my name. i turn around and it’s mr. kelly. he was the guy who needed jumper cables back in fall/summer. he tells me he hasn’t seen me in a while and that he always tells people about me and the other guy who helped him jump his car that one night. then mr. kelly gets to telling me how in november he had a bowel obstruction and lost almost 30 lbs. he had pneumonia, a hernia, and other problems because of it. it’s amazing because 6 months later, he’s in the gym back lifting heavy. i told him it was good to see him and to see that he’s back to his old self. some times we take our health for granted when we don’t have nagging ailments. as i drove home, i thought about how i’m in between the teenager who changed my battery and someone like mr. kelly. one has his whole life ahead of him, the other has a lot more to look back than myself. i’m in between the two and all i can do is make the most of the moment.

it’s times like these where i’m reminded i should stop playing it safe and just go for it.

-ratha, 9:11pm, 5.16.24