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It’s been more than three and half decades ago that Naomi passed on to us, her colleagues, at the Dare County Board of Education, a bit of clever, humorous wisdom.

“Children,” she said, “just remember, the first hundred years are the hardest.”

That, friends, is also a tongue-in-cheek bit of advice as well.

So, recently, just a few short weeks ago, while seated comfortably in the recliner in our bedroom, which faces the TV and the front window, I saw the FedEx truck slowing down.

When it turned into our driveway, I hoisted myself enough to start the getting-up process. I have to rock up and back a bit several times to actually get onto my feet. A few years ago, I wouldn’t have ever thought that getting out of the recliner would entail such maneuvers. This aging process is just wonderful, if you know what I mean.

I went into the living room and then out of the front door, onto the porch. The FedEx fellow was at the back of the vehicle, getting something out. It was a fairly small box, and then he started across the yard.

Being the nice person that I am, I started walking across the yard to meet him. You know, save him a few steps. Those delivery folks walk, sometimes really hustling, almost running, untold distances each day.

This is probably the point in my story when, if not even sooner, you are thinking “Where are you going with this tale, Old Timer?” (My Incomparable First Wife does not like for me to refer to myself thus. Maybe “very mature person “is preferable.)

After thanking the young man for bringing the package, I then passed along my late friend Naomi’s wit and wisdom.

I said something like. “Thanks. Let me share a bit of profundity “. (No, I probably didn’t use that exact word, I just wanted to throw it in here.)

So I said, “Just remember, the first hundred years are the hardest.”

Clever. Funny. His expression, however, was one of puzzlement. He was “studying on it.”

Then, just a tad hesitantly, he said, “Are you really a hundred?”

Wrong response. He should have been chuckling, at least. I mean, after really looking at me, he probably thought I was, maybe, only ninety or so. He might have even thought I didn’t look all that bad for a hundred.

Lordamercy.