Okay, so I try not to think about age.  It’s all relative, right?  And you are as young as you feel? And blah, blah, blah.  Well, sometimes, I’m sorry to say, there are just poignant reminders that, well, time is marching on and at a fast, John Philip Sousa pace at that!  My old hag moment thunked me right smack between the crows-feet, as I was driving to work last week…it was actually a wondrous double-edged sword of sorts. 

My daily morning commute takes me right by Gainesville High School…and a nearby Starbucks.  So it’s really not that unusual (or wondrous for that matter) to see the parade of 1,000-calorie whipped cream laden Frappuccinos and backpacks. 

But on this special day, I actually saw a high schooler holding a coffee cup in one hand and…..a newspaper in the other!  Yep, that’s right, a real, hot-off-the-press, fold-em’ up and tuck it under your arm Tuesday edition of the Gainesville Sun.  Wow.   I know…you’re thinking…huh?  But ask yourself, when was the last time (okay, the first time?) you’ve seen a teenager actually carrying a newspaper…a real daily rag.   Reading a text message on a cell phone doesn’t count.   A textbook is closer, but no cigar.  And certainly while cool and convenient, reading a newspaper online is not even close to the aroma of fresh newspaper ink swirling with that first cup of morning joe…intoxicating.   

To me, seeing this young man carrying the newspaper gave me pause (the red light didn’t hurt the timing either), perhaps even the promise that he was actually going to read it and even, yes even, comprehend current events.  A glimmer of hope that the youth of America cares about the future of our nation, the presidential election and who’ll lead our nation, the prosperity of our Social Security system, stabilizing fuel prices, the sanctity of world peace and eradicating famine in third world countries?   Okay, too far. 

But this site that faded in my rear view mirror, did indeed, give me a glimmer of hope on several levels…so thank you young high school boy! Buy another newspaper anytime and enjoy the read…and before you have to don reading glasses to focus on it!