Steele, North Dakota, in Kidder County along I-94 at the State Highway 3 intersection (population 715. Founded 1878) is one of my usual stops on my frequent trips to Bismarck for work. Over the last few years, it’s become more attractive for gas and coffee coinciding with the extensive remodel of the gas station there- it has a Caribou Coffee and a very large convenience store. It has benefitted no doubt from increased traffic in central North Dakota.

The gas pump islands are slanted, and there are several, so it’s easy to see everyone. This place is always busy, but maybe even more so on a nice sunny 50F day on a recent trip. As I am cleaning my windshield I notice a guy about 20 years older than me, and beyond him, another about 30 years younger than me, both doing the same. Often, in our minds eye, I think we feel our reality is more in touch with our younger selves as we carry that vision in our memory. I ponder that I am actually more connected to the older gentleman than the younger one as he gives me a little nod seeming to acknowledge this.

I pay and get some hot coffee to go as I look around the store, families, little kids, young adults, elders, high schoolers (this apparently is the place to hang when school gets out for the day), construction workers, oilers, farmer/ranchers, and businesspersons going about their business; the humanity of our everyday life along the long continuum evident as I hit the road. I’m hoping I’ll get to see the 75 year old version of myself, and maybe even hold that in my memory someday.