The Comfort of Then, the Courage of Now

Curt takes a bike ride down memory lane, from arcade nights to childhood friendships, and finds that growing up doesn’t mean letting go. This episode is a love letter to the past—and a quiet nudge toward hope for the future.

Transcript

The Comfort of Then, the Courage of Now

Hey it’s Curt…welcome back to the Short Pause. 

Every generation looks back and swears their childhood was simpler, safer…more real. 

We miss just about everything about the way things used to be.

(Sound: Top Gun Theme) 

There was no internet. No information overload. We got on our bikes – sometimes before dawn and didn’t come home until dinner. Our parents had no clue where we were. 

We were jumping ramps. 

Dumpster diving.

Eating at McDonalds. 

Riding by girls’ houses hoping maybe just maybe she’d be outside. 

(Sound: Pac Man ) 

(Sound: Le Freak )

At night, we were at the arcade… or Brockway Roller Rink.
 Skating in circles under the disco ball. 
 We scammed Bubble Yum from our friends.
 The girls wore shiny lip gloss, Jordache jeans, jelly bracelets and way too much hairspray.
 And somehow, it was perfect.

I recently visited my childhood home in Michigan. I stood in the center of my old room and I took a deep nostalgic breath. 

My friend Dave used to throw rocks at that window to wake me up to come outside in the middle of the night. 

A poster of Farrah Faucett hung on that door. 

My jambox was on my desk right over there…

My black and white TV was on a table against that wall…

(Sound: Ronald Reagan Shot) 

The world is a different place now. I suppose our parents felt the same way. I sometimes find myself in this weird place of missing what was and worrying about what’s next. 

All those inspirational memes tell us not to live in the past, and don’t worry about the future…instead, be present. I know, I know, I know…

But here I am in my old room. 

(Sound: Ernie Harwell) 

(Sound: MTV) 

I guess I’m a nostalgic optimist.
I can look back with warmth—even longing—
and still believe in what’s ahead.

(Sound: Birds of a Feather)

Because when I glance into that rearview mirror,
 I’m reminded of who I was…
 and who I still want to be.

So yeah, I stood there in my old room—
 and I didn’t just see what was gone.
 I saw what’s still alive in me.

The curiosity.
 The wonder.
 The unshakable belief that something good is coming.

And maybe…
 that’s the comfort of then—
 and the courage of now.

I can still feel the cool Michigan night…
 Dave, standing out there in the dark,
 tossing rocks at my window.
 No phones. No texts.
 Just the simple sound of friendship saying:
 Hey… come out. Let’s live a little.

Don’t miss it when life does that—
 tapping you on the shoulder,
 calling you back to yourself.
(Pause)
Back to wonder.
 Back to hope.

I’ll see you next time on The Short Pause.