Bullish On Life

"A beautiful new longhorn bull was born in the pre-dawn hours this morning. He's one mighty handsome fella from championship bloodlines!" Rock's proud voice sounded as if another grandchild had made a spectacular entrance into the world.
Jerry had phoned to report the death of their mutual friend, Foy; he had passed away in the pre-dawn hours that same morning. Now he and Rock were attempting to end their conversation with a few words on a lighter note. Nonetheless, their voices broke with the pain coursing through them and they both fought back tears as they spoke.
They reminisced briefly about college years, fraternity pranks, marriages, raising families, and growing older. After forty years, the bond of friendship never wavered for Jerry, Rock, and Foy-or Folo as his friends affectionately called him.
One never knows how long they will be on this earth and Foy indicated he'd hoped to have a little more time. Although, he could only agree when Jerry reminded him, "You've somehow jam-packed the equivalent of 99 years into 64!"
Foy's eyes lit up and he smiled, "I really did, didn't I?" A look of satisfaction flashed across his ailing face.
In remembering Foy, one could only recall that he lived each day to the fullest- a lesson he demonstrated with flair.
Now Foy was gone, but he'd left behind a multitude of unforgettable memories for friends and family. His wit was beyond compare and his mind as quick as a lightening bolt. Quite possibly he could have made it into the "big time" as a comedian. Perhaps he missed his calling, although he continually entertained those close to him-even in his final days.
Thoughts of the newborn bull brought to mind similarities of the life it would lead, and the life Foy had relished. It could be said that Foy was bullish on life! Fences could not, and did not contain this feisty fellow. He viewed life as a lush, green pasture for running, romping, and kicking up his heels. Yet when provoked, he could compete with any snorting, head-tossing old bull. Having spent many years as a bachelor, he delighted in the company of female companions-just as this young bull would learn in years to come. And, to the dismay of his friends, Foy had the strength of a bull whether he chose to exercise or not.
As per Merriam Webster, part of the longhorn's description is: Having a highly variable color pattern. Amazingly, there couldn't be a more perfect depiction of Foy and the life he led! It was abundant with splashes of color and excitement.
Maybe it was happenstance that a new baby bull entered the world as Foy departed for pastures greener than mortals can fathom. Nonetheless, the newborn Texas Longhorn now carries the name Folo. Foy would be proud of his rowdy, rambunctious namesake-there's no doubt about it! What could be more fitting for a man who was absolutely "bullish on life".

What we ponder

"What we ponder and what we think about sets the course of our life."
One of my very favorites, Jim Rohn, is almost an endless well of wisdom, as witness this passage of his:"What we ponder and what we think about sets the course of our life. Any day we wish; we can discipline ourselves to change it all. Any day we wish, we can open the book that will open our mind to new knowledge. Any day we wish, we can start a new activity. Any day we wish, we can start the process of life change. We can do it immediately, or next week, or next month, or next year."We can also do nothing. We can pretend rather than perform. And if the idea of having to change ourselves makes us uncomfortable, we can remain as we are. We can choose rest over labor, entertainment over education, delusion over truth, and doubt over confidence. The choices are ours to make. But while we curse the effect, we continue to nourish the cause. As Shakespeare uniquely observed, "The fault is not in the stars, but in ourselves." We created our circumstances by our past choices. We have both the ability and the responsibility to make better choices beginning today."