On a shelf in our family room is this picture taken in 1983 at Gary’s Flight School Graduation Banquet. We were at Fort Rucker, Alabama, where Gary completed the Army’s helicopter training.
Because of my dress, Aaron thinks this picture is from our wedding day. He loves showing people this picture when they are at our house.
“This is my Mom and Dad getting married,” he begins.
“No, Aaron, this was not our wedding…” I try to interject.
“See?” Aaron interjects above my interjection.
“Mom was skinny,” he says too loudly.
The ensuing laughter only encourages him.
“She had long hair,” he continues.
My death stare matters nothing to him.
“And she was young,” he finishes with a flourish.
At this point Aaron is bent over, rubbing his hands together furiously…which indicates great excitement…and laughing as he relishes everyone’s reactions, especially mine.
It’s obvious that all these supposedly desirable traits are in the PAST tense, right?
You know, I have never let my age bother me much. I am thankful to be healthy and able bodied. I don’t have cataracts or glaucoma, and so far, I do have my original knees and hips…and most of my original teeth in one form or another.
But if I focus on what Aaron says about my former self, well, it can be downright depressing if I’m not careful.
Tomorrow I will celebrate another year of life. And for some reason, this birthday has made me blink a few times.
Like…wait, what?! I’m HOW old?
I’m not ashamed of my age, so I’ll just come out with it.
I am…ahem…about to turn 69 years old.
You know what that means about next year.
GULP!!!
Gary and I got a late start at marriage, an even later start at having children, and a very late start to have a grandchild. That last one was out of our hands. Somehow, it’s all made me feel like I’m not as…ahem…old as I really and truly am.
Yeah, I cover some of it with hair color but then there are the moments when I stand up and feel my hip give a twinge it didn’t used to give…that original hip.
Times I back into a chair and realize that’s exactly how my Grandma did it.
There’s the periodic catch in my back that makes me realize why some people walk bent over the shopping cart handle.
Why do I seem to need a little power nap more days than not?
And I am not even going to discuss the wrinkled neck!!
I’ve been studying through the book of Ecclesiastes, and I had to laugh at the verse I read just two days ago. At the end of chapter 5, Solomon talks about how God desires that mankind enjoy God’s gifts, whether the person is poor or wealthy. It’s foolish to moan over being poor or to hoard your wealth.
Then comes this jewel in verse 20:
“For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart.”
God gave me my birthday verse!!
There is NO reason for me to be consumed with the wear and tear of my body parts, to worry about my not-as-sharp mind, and all the rest of it.
I am instead to live with a heart that is occupied with the joy promised to me by the giver of real joy…God Himself!
“You have put gladness in my heart, more than when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:7-8)
What will occupy my heart in year 69?
The choice is mine.
The ability is God’s.
He Said What?! 