Two Old Guys and a Red Cooler

Sometimes it is the very smallest glimpse of something that causes us to pause and ponder. While running the other day I notice two old guys unloading a red cooler from the back of a pick up truck. They were on each side of the cooler with a firm grip on the side handles. I couldn’t help but to wonder and guess what treasures may be in that red cooler. It was obvious that it was heavy since it required two men to carry the weight of its contents.  Could it be a cooler full of fish? Maybe the two guys had spent the morning down on the river and were returning with their prized reward. Maybe they had spent the morning in a shared garden and the cooler was stuffed with fresh squash or cucumbers. As I continued to think about the bounty within that cooler something very significant occurred to me. Maybe the cooler really wasn’t that heavy. Maybe it was only half full of what ever that inside treasure was. Maybe it wasn’t about the weight of the cooler that caused each gentleman to latch on to what they considered their side of the responsibility. Maybe it was just a continuation of what ever they had shared that morning as two good friends. I begin to think about the possible history between these two. How long had they known each other? How many joys, fears or tears had they shared or experienced?

I didn’t have any answers in reference to these two old guys and that red cooler. For all I know they may have never meet before that day. I would guess however that they had a relationship as true friends for many years. There was just something about their stride as they moseyed in step with each other with that cooler in tow. I just don’t think this was the first time this ritual had occurred.

 It then occurred to me that in this techno age we currently live in, long lasting friendships are rare. We are too occupied with our next work assignments, deadlines to meet, projects to complete and image to compete. We are a generation of making impressions, getting it done and out running the sun. Why have we lost what these two old guys probably understood to be an important part of their life?

Had the years in their rear view mirror taught them the importance of one of life’s rewards?  Why does it take so long to remember to look at our past and understand who

has been in the trench’s with us? Making the time to keep a friendship seemingly takes more work than we are willing to allow out of our busy schedules. So, the next time you lace them up and are ready to hit the road, think about making that call. Run with a friend. Make a memory. Put in the effort. Don’t let the world dictate to you to rush through everything you do. After all, one side of that cooler will always be lighter than both sides, regardless of what is inside. Share it with a friend.