Skip to main content

65-60-55

Today is a monumental day in our family history.  My oldest brother turns the wonderful age of 65.  He becomes an official recipient of Medicare, along with  half priced meals for dining out, and discount airplane seats. The golden years or better yet, the sunset years loom before him.  It still sounds strange to me to say I have a brother who is 65 years old; it's like saying you have a brother who could be your father. . . but not.  With this day, I realize another unfortunate fact.  My brothers and I are separated by multiples of five, so with the oldest being 65, it's only a matter of months before we too will join him at 60 years, and 55 years for me, no less.  Wow, that means we all will be senior citizens!  Not only that but we could be considered geriatrics!  Whew!



Somehow, it seemed so much better in years before, 5-10-15, 20-25-30, even 40-45-50!  I wonder how did we arrive so quickly? I pondered these numbers as I walked the golf course this gray foggy morning.  It has been awhile since I've been on the green, and true to myself, I was a bit rusty on the tees. Why do I tweak the ball this way and that?  There I go into the trees again or what a great shot, but directly into the sand!  I strive for consistency, but it doesn't seem to arrive until the last few holes.  Yep, golf is always a life reminder for me because so many aspects play out like it.  My life isn't that perfect drive, more often it's a series of "ups and downs" as I seem to meet up with hazards surrounding my aim.  And now, I realize I am getting ready to step into the back nine of time . . . 


Of course, that time reaches you before you feel you're ready.  Why, if it's anything like my golf game, I feel like I'm just getting warmed up!  I understand my parents so much better now, as I use to hear them comment on the brevity of life.  But I'm deciding to grind it out, to keep playing with all my heart.  Just like today, even though it wasn't my best day and I had to listen once again to my husband's gentle reminders of "lining up" and "swinging through," I'm deciding to approach this time with grace and joy. I'm going to smile, laugh, and play more often.  Even in spite of shots gone wrong and temporary tears, I'm staying in the game. . .     


So today, I am very thankful for my "senior" family that we've become.  It is just one more blessing God had hidden long before in our smaller numbers, but now revealed in the awesome 65-60-55!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Close Encounters of the Spiritual Kind

   " Put yourself in the path that God will work." (Pastor Martin Smith, 1/2024)  On a crisp, clear Saturday morning, I started up the hill with Gypsy Rose eagerly leading the way.  I was more caught up in the fresh air feeling that was invigorating, than paying attention to the few cars that passed us by.  But there up ahead, a small red truck had slowed to the curb to flag me down.  "Could I help him find his son's house?" He was an older gentleman with his phone in hand.  He couldn't reach his son because the calls only went to voicemail, and he didn't have his address, only that it was somewhere here in Rancho.  I googled his son for him, but unfortunately, it only brought up an older address which was the current address now for this man.  There was no updated address for Rancho Cucamonga.  I told him the bad news, but he was so very gracious.  He did everything to show me that he was for real, pulling out  his driver lice...

Awe

  The thunder resounded with a loud clap! Certainly, it came as an afternoon surprise.  The expected rain seemed less than what was forecasted, but with the thunder came a bucket of heavy raindrops splashing against my kitchen window.  I wanted to take it all in, the fresh aroma of falling rain and the beauty of water drops hitting the leaves of my nasturtium and petunia hanging baskets.  Unfortunately, the rain cloud quickly fled, running away into the eastern sky.  But then the sun made its way onto the scene, and I was drawn to a thick band of rainbow colors shining up at me.  The western sky was magnificently orange, completely bound up tight with that solo color scheme.  I went outside to catch it all before it would disappear.  Creation again was causing me to pause in awe and wonder. . . Awe is that reverential wonder, that even includes fear and respect.  It is only a 3 letter word, but it takes bigger and grander words to define it....

Easter Production

Driving down the freeway, the large billboard caught my eye.  "Join us for our Easter Production,"  it beckoned with splashy brown and orange colors.  It made me think, yes, that's what the resurrection of Jesus Christ has been reduced to. . . a man made production.  Even this very day we celebrate, the headlines are all about the celebrities that attract the biggest Easter crowd.  E.G. "Tim Tebow draws thousands to Texas Easter service."  Once again, I had to think . . . who is Easter really about?  What happened to "Jesus draws a crowd?" I have grown tired of celebrity worship.  Yet, it seems in America that is what most Christians are interested in. We flock to mega churches, we drink in videos and studies all geared to keep us simple minded and complacent.  No longer is theology a priority to be taught.  No, it's better to read through the Bible in a year by reading only 5 minutes a day.  Never mind, contemplating or discuss...