Last week I had the privilege of sitting with two old friends and reminiscing about our childhood. Great memories of long ago were brought up and discussed at length by two of us — the third person was just listening to us talk. He was in a coma, very close to death. I am very sure our dying friend was participating in this great conversation, listening and experiencing the same resurrection of feelings and excitement as the years peeled away. At first, the stories came slowly, the passage of 40-plus years and whole lives lived, our children raised and our other experiences stacked on top of the foundation we all shared. But as the time went by, and with the help of our shared recollections, we took a trip down memory lane. At first I was surprised at the details my brilliant old friend remembered. So many things were forgotten by me, but came back in an amazing conversation that began to open doors to those years, the crazy stuff we did and the way we were. As three good friends in those formative years, a time before our adult barriers went up, we were completely ourselves. Just three silly kids trying to get the most from each day, in a time when we had so much freedom and love we could be anything our imaginations could conceive. I began to realize the best stories and most outrageous acts from my childhood were performed with these same two guys. I'm pretty sure the neighbors back then thought we were little hellions, stirring up trouble and running away with peals of laughter and four-letter expletives fading away as we went in search of excitement in the analog world of the early 1970s. That search for fun and excitement made us into who we are today. It reminded me of something I have thought at times in my life when I am down and searching for a brighter perspective. Whenever I think my stumbles in life are too many, the mistakes and shortcomings are so important in the universe, I think back to my 10-year-old self, that fun seeking and crazy kid with life stretching before me. And I ask, what would that kid think about the man I have become? So now as we sat in this circle of old guys, sharing the last hours of a treasured person with those fond recollections around us, the figures of three young hellions took in the scene. I think our young selves would approve of the crusty figures we've become. The gray beards and the lines on faces, earned with our toil and strife, look just fine to them. The three kids would just stare at the old men and wonder what is the deal with all the adult drama? And with a snicker and maybe a choice insult, move on to the next adventure. And so shall we. Rest in peace old friend.