Put yourself out there with your druthers

Always glad to make a new acquaintance, my husband accepted a golf date with a neighbor named Steve.

It's human nature that whenever we meet new people, we tell stories about our adventures through life that give insight into who and what we are. Grit came home from golf with a fun one.

Steve, who has been in the hardware business all his life, was for a few years president of the Builders Hardware Manufacturer's Association. There was a lot of golf involved, and the association tournaments were extremely competitive. Though he came close, he never was able to win the top prize.

His last year as president, he decided he really wanted it to happen, so he asked to be partnered up with someone really good. He was told they had paired him with some guy from Europe whom they were obligated to take care of.

Steve went to the tourney thoroughly bummed out and admits when he met his partner, he wasn't even very nice to him and didn't even look him in the eye when they shook hands.

As they were starting off, he noticed the fella had a wooden driver that was well-worn in the middle of the club.

"Ah," he thought. "Maybe this won't be so bad after all." Sure enough, they birdied the first two holes. As Steve was putting his ball on the third tee, still without eye contact, he said, "Has anyone ever told you that you look like Tommy John?"

After Steve hit his drive his golf partner replied, "Yes. My mom and dad."

Just in case you have forgotten, Tommy John was a professional baseball pitcher who played for both the Dodgers and the Yankees. He was greatly admired, especially by Steve, a dedicated Yankee fan.

Steve was really embarrassed, and Tommy didn't let him forget his rudeness the rest of the day, but it was hands down one of the great days of his life. Besides that, they won the tournament by four strokes.

Of course his friends who set up the tournament were well-aware what a Yankee fan Steve was and had lined everything up then they sat back and enjoyed watching their friend live his dream.

I like people who commit, put their druthers right out there. Maybe put a sticker on a truck, which Steve has, or wear a hat with a favorite team on it. People who love opera or collect stamps or serve the homeless. They keep active and alive and don't turn into "jackwagons."

Getting involved in life and not just being a boring bystander full of doom and gloom makes life a lot more fun. Besides that, there are health benefits.

The National Institute for Aging advises that, "... emerging research also indicates the possibility that engaging in social and productive activities you enjoy ... may also help maintain your well-being. A number of early studies found that people who are involved in hobbies and other social and leisure pursuits may be at lower risk for (and less likely to develop) some health problems, including dementia."

I'd do anything to avoid dementia, maybe even become a Yankees fan,