I met Gene a few weeks ago. He was 85. He was selling a 10 acre mini farm with two large barns. And in one of the barns, he kept his favorite cars: a 1967 Fastback Mustang, a 2018 Chevy Camaro and a 1956 Ford Sedan.
Gene had decided to sell the property and move to Florida. I represented the buyer and I spent a good bit of time with each person. Gene had retired 20 years ago from General Motors. He said he planned each afternoon for what he would do the next day. He gave us a tour of the property that he had owned since the 1970s. His little farm was tucked into the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. His cars were his special prizes and each had a story about his life. He joked that he kept the cars longer than his wives.
What impressed me most was that he was full of energy and zest. He was planning tomorrow and next week and next year. And he was planning each day, week and year with something fun and enjoyable in mind. My buyer purchased Gene's property a few days before Christmas with the understanding that Gene would have a couple of months to move his cars and tools to his soon to be Florida home.
I was very shocked to receive a text that Gene exited this world last night. I have been thinking about him all day. The Mustang was running a little rich he had told me last week and he thought it might be a little too much pressure from the fuel pump. He was to get on that this week. He planned to check out a new Camaro SS with 650 HP as soon as the dealer called him that one was available.
What I like about Gene is that he lived everyday without worrying about the future. I think he treasured the next day not because it might be his last, but because it might be his best. His zest was optimistic. Which gave him an exuberant outlook on life.
I like that approach. Tomorrow can be my best day so far, and the day after that can be even better! Let's Rumble On in 2022!