Nostalgia...a sentimental longing or wistful affection for something past..

I went to a farm auction today. The man has decided to retire. I saw him today going down the line starting all the tractors, probably for the last time.

I met him years ago at an old church we had visited. I made sure I said hello and wished him well. I shook his hand. Felt like sandpaper from all the years of hard work. He walks kind of stooped over now. He tilted his head up, looked me in the eye. "I remember you. Had your son with you." "Yes, sir."

I respected his work ethic. How many times had he climbed up and down off those tractors through the years? How many countless hours spent alone in the fields? How many cold mornings like today? I asked him how many years he had farmed? "All my life. It's all I know." I thought this man has worked hard all his life. And now it's going to all be gone. Nothing left but the memories. How would people remember him? Would he be remembered as a man of integrity? Would he be remembered as a Godly man, a good person? Somebody that would do anything for his brother?

I had seen an old tractor there. One my dad owned when I was a boy. It meant the world to me when I was allowed to drive it alone. I remember the joy I felt when my dad admired the straight line I had plowed.

I left the auction early. Didn't feel right obtaining stuff that belonged to this old man.

In a way, I was sad for him.