Dispatches from Home: Reflections On Turning Sixty-Five! (February 5 2017)
When I was a child in the late 50s, I often spent summers with my sweet Granny from D’Lo. Many a morning I’d hear moans and groans as she got out of bed. To my young mind, something was wrong. “Granny, are you okay?” To this good day I still remember her answer: “Honey, when you get old you wake up with another ache, another pain somewhere.” Now, to a young child of seven or eight, that made no sense at all. But guess what? Granny was right, and how do I know? Many a morning when I bounce out of bed my bounce is not as high or as quick as it once was. And guess what? I now feel those strange, new aches and pains that Granny warned me about. I guess that means that I’m old, especially since I’ve received my Medicare card!
Sixty-five sounds old when you hear someone say it. It looks old when seen in print. And perhaps it is. At 65 you know–or should know–that you’ve now lived longed than you have left to live. (Most people, especially men, don’t live to be 130.) So, what does it mean to be 65? This morning I snuck up to a mirror. I didn’t see an old geezer, but I definitely didn’t see a young whippersnapper either. The other day a dear friend ask me if I felt like I was sixty-five? Yes and no was my answer.
My “yes” had to do with life itself. After traveling life’s road for 65 years, a fellow learns a thing or two. With age comes wisdom. The wisdom to deal with problems–hopefully solving them–and then moving forward, not backward. The wisdom to say “no” to someone, when he/she may be leading you in a wrong direction. The wisdom to say “no” to something that is doing the same thing. There is no substitute for the wisdom that comes with age! It’s fascinating to look back over the years and say, “Yes, I survived those hard times! Yes, I’ve made progress in my struggle to be better at some task or to accomplish some dream! And yes, I’ve learned to nurture true values, morals, and relationships!”
My “no” had to do with my image of 65 from the distortion of youth’s prism. Remember Granny? At 65 did she feel old? Would I? Would I start slowing down, would I be less interested in having fun, or looking for new adventures, or new challenges? Would I sit in my lonely little room, listening to some dirge on the Victrola , feeling sorry for my sixty-five-year-old-self? I’m so happy that the answer to those questions is a resounding “NO!” My sweet Granny from D’Lo didn’t let those early morning aches and pains slow her down. And neither will I. I’m having more fun than ever! Busy, busy, busy. But it’s my busy, not the bosses. And for that I’m grateful!
Speaking of grateful, one other thing: God! I’m thankful that at 65, I’ve not given up on Him because I know He’s not given up on me! I’m thankful for the parents that He blessed me with; thankful for dear ol’ FBC Gulfport; and last, but certainly not least, I’m thankful for my dear Christian family and friends! For those who know me–and know me well–you know that I’ve done some stupid things in my life. I’ve traveled down some terribly, bumpy roads. I’ve rushed down some dark alleyways, arriving at the inevitable dead end. Thankfully, God gave me enough sense to drop breadcrumbs along the way. Those breadcrumbs–the love of family, friends and a caring church–helped me find my way back home. So what advice do I give for those who will one day turn 65? Only this: Love God, love your family and friends, and for heaven’s sake, DON’T lose your sense of humor! Here’s looking forward to the next 65 years! Well…maybe…15 or 20! later Gaters!
