In 1969, Rock Duo, Zager and Evans, released a hit song called, In the Year 2525. It was a song that was added to many, from my generation’s, car Karaoke lists. It was a great sing-a-long song, and one with a message, as so many songs had in the sixties. It was explained the message was that much of what was being destroyed in our world, and on our earth, was the fault of mankind, but the world and earth, could be fixed, by the very same mankind, who made the mess in the first place.

The lyrics of the song, predicted what was going to, or at least could, happen in each of the years sung about. I just liked it because it was like a timeline of what could/would happen.

As I heard the song on the radio recently, it got me to thinking of things in my life that, not necessarily, could happen or would happen, but what actually did happen. So, with thanks to Zager and Evans, their creativity in their hit song, and sung the way they sang it, I look back and recall what did happen as I celebrate my 69 years on this planet today.

(Google or You Tube the video and use the melody of In the Year 2525 with the statements below)

In the year 1953, I became reality, on a Thursday was the day of my birth, which began my life on this earth

In the year 1958, Kindergarten was pretty great, St. James was the name of my school, all in all it was pretty cool

In the year 1961, my parents celebrated another son, no longer now the youngest Lombardo, I really liked my new little bro

In the year 1963, I started baseball which made me happy, I was a catcher, which I liked so well, until a player hit me and rang my bell

In the year 1969, it was a mixed year of mine, I started umpiring, started High School too, but said farewell to St. James, boo-hoo

In the year 1970, I got my driver’s license, Yippee, only got the car an hour per day, but it was still a blast all the way

In the year 1971, I had a whole lot of fun, graduated high school that year, started college leading to my career

In the year 1973, finished up my time at JCC, moved along to Fredonia SUNY, with my sights on a teaching degree

In the year 1975, college was over so fast, man alive, the time had come to now face the strife, time to work next 40 years of life

In the year 1977, got full time teaching job and I was in heaven, began first year at Fletcher School, man it felt so stinking cool

In the year 1979, I met Sally and she said she’d be mine, we planned our wedding for the year after that, was no better place than where I was at

In the year 1980, we said “I do” and it was great, took some adjustments by all four of us, but we did okay without too much fuss

In the year 1988, addition to the family came that we thought was great, Jonathan Jacob Lombardo joined our crew, he got here safely, but two weeks overdue

In the year 1990, the JHS Baseball Team soared pretty highly, I got to coach a great team of young men, who reached the States and had a blast way back when

In the year 2008, I retired after a career that was great, 31 years in classrooms I called mine, so many great kids, so many great times

In the year 2013, coached girls softball team to Sectional win, advanced just one run, one step from States, those girls I coached they were really great

In the year 2016, watched the Tribe get as far as I’ve seen, went to games I never thought I would see, it was quite a huge thrill for me

In the year 2019, went to the All Star game, where I’d never been, shared the week with Jon, my son, never wanted it to ever be done

In the year 2021, went to Cleveland for something else I’ve never done, got to be there for the NFL Draft, one more Bucket List item scratched off aft

It’s now year 2022, and I am grateful for each for one of you, you have blessed me with a great life, especially my children and wife. Wo-a-wo.

Like me as I wrote it, I bet you tried singing this remake of Z and E, and however you look at this little ditty today from The Bullpen, thanks to all of you for making these 69 years, (which I’m celebrating today at the Baptism of my beautiful granddaughter, Olivia) a wonderful ride. Thanks, Zager and Evans, for letting me borrow, and/or butcher, one of your best creations to make this narrative possible.