Category: 60 Minutes

I have an old-man friend, a “College Station Grandpa,” if you will. Doyle is a Texas A&M graduate (Class of ’42) and is one of my favorite people on the planet.

He watched me grow up because our families shared the same hunting lease for more than 20 years of my life. It’s important to mention that I adored his wife, Tillie, and she truly molded many of my childhood memories–cooking breakfast, playing cards, and taking long walks on the ranch.

When I was in college, I visited Doyle and Tillie as often as I could. Since I’ve returned to College Station, Tillie has passed on and I try to visit Doyle at least once a month.

When Doyle was a student at Texas A&M, he worked at the Dairy.

 “Cows didn’t milk themselves, Megan, we didn’t have all those machines back then. Holidays. Snow. Ice. You name it, I was there.”

Additionally, he served our country in World War II. He worked for Texas A&M Extension for most of his life and has the very best stories.

I could listen to Doyle’s stories for hours (and I have). Often, after minutes into telling a story, he says,

“Well, to make a long story short…”

I always smile after he says this because I know it means at least ten more minutes.

Today, Doyle lives in College Station at a very nice retirement home. I visit Doyle on Tuesdays because, after dinner, we play “Ninety-Nine” with his friends. I won’t waste words here explaining it–just click the link to learn), but I will tell you that it’s so much fun and kind of hard to keep up with his 80 and 90 year-old friends. Fortunately, I got lucky last time we played and won quite a bit. Don’t worry–we only play with nickels, so I’m not cheating anyone out of their retirement.

After playing Ninety-Nine, Doyle and I always go back to his apartment and talk about life for a few hours. And by “talk about life” I mean, he tells me wonderful stories and teaches me more about life than many ever have.

Doyle is my constant reminder that:

1. A full life is spent doing what you love with the people who make you happy.
2. There are no hand-outs in life–and there shouldn’t be. Work hard, always.
3. Kindness is an invaluable quality.

I know our talks won’t last forever–he even jokes about it…he can be kind of morbid like that, but he’s had such a full life that he’s able to laugh about it.

But until that time comes (which I hope is far, far away), I will still spend my Tuesdays with Doyle and his friends–beating them in Ninety-Nine and soaking up every moment with my dearest, old-man friend.

I recently visited my old stomping grounds in Fredericksburg, Virginia to attend the nuptials of two dear friends. While I was in town, I was able to spend a short amount of time with some folks. Included in this group was one of the few Virginia women I designate with the title, “Mama.”

Mama Lynne is a Dean at the institution I worked previously and is one of the most wonderful people I’ve ever known. We used to have a standing Thursday lunch date—and I miss it like crazy.

Lynne has an extremely interesting life and here are some fun facts:

1) She had her PhD before she was 30. She was single, independent, and fabulous.

2) One night she went to dinner with a group of people and walked away from that experience knowing she met the man she was going to marry. Five months later they were hitched. HOW DOES THAT EVEN HAPPEN?

3) Lynne will be the President of an institution one day and when that happens, I’m quitting and working for her.

During my recent trip, I woke up at 6:30am on a weekend (after a late night wedding reception) to spend time over Krispy Kreme donuts with this woman. I can talk to her about anything and everything. Mostly, I soak up all of her ‘Lynne-isms’. Here are just a few I wanted to share:

A) “God doesn’t make junk. He just doesn’t.”

There’s a reason for everything. Period.

B) “Fish or Cut Bait”

Lynne is always interested in who I’m dating and is quick to tell me that if he’s not the right one, I need to cut bait. “Timing is everything and you only deserve the best,” she’ll say. I need to record her and put her on repeat.

C) “You can always make time for the Important Things”

Lynne is an extremely involved individual because she gets bored easy and, well, to be honest, she’s just awesome. Lynne has three kids, is involved on several boards, she holds leadership in her church, teaches college courses, serves as a Dean, and is a loving wife. She was recently approached with the opportunity for another leadership position in an organization she’s involved in. She explained that she’s praying about it, but has learned from past experiences that God will give you the outlet:

“…God helps you find time for the important things. If there is something that He wants you to do—a volunteers experience, position in an organization—He will help you find time.” If something isn’t right, then it won’t fit. I’ve realized that also means making a place for spending time with the ones you love. Preach it, Mama, preach it.

 

You’re Welcome for the Lynne-isms. Breathe ’em in. Let ’em soak. Thank Mama Lynne later.