This blog has a double meaning. We go through life changes, as life changes. In other words, changes take place in our lives after 60 years, but we all need to make that decision to make changes on our own when it comes to life. Okay, I know this sounds like an old Abbott and Costello routine like "Who's on first?" I have discovered a lot about myself in the last few years. I have done a lot of soul searching. I need to make changes in me as I go forward in life. Maybe you do as well?
Last summer at my church I was playing frisbee with two brothers who were waiting for their mom to finish a class. One of the brothers threw the frisbee high in the air. I went running as fast as I could to catch that frisbee. The two brothers were laughing so hard at me and one of them said really loud, "I have never seen you run before! That was funny." I answered, "I'm not too old to run!" Honestly, I can't remember the last time I ran before that frisbee run. Maybe it was the last time I went for a long jog in my neighborhood, probably in 2018.
While taking orders outside at Chick Fil-A here in South Carolina, a man probably 10 years older than me looked at me and jokingly said, "I was hoping to see a nice-looking young lady to take my order, not an old guy like you!" Thanks a lot, sir! Whenever I go outside to take orders with a fellow team member Donnie who is 57 years old, we are dubbed "The Old Guys" and make jokes with our guests and try to give them a good laugh. Sometimes we pretend we can't hear and hold onto our backs like we are in pain. We have fun! Donnie and I tell each other "Dad jokes."
At my new job at Trader Joe's, I have been asked to help close the store with several other workers. I looked around the store after we closed and realized I was the oldest one there. My bosses are the same age as my kids! I was the only worker there with gray hair. The next day, I was happy to see a lady with gray hair closing but, of course, I did not ask her how old she was! 😃
Back at Chick Fil-A, this time in Commack, NY, a group of young girls are talking about their favorite singers and songs. I have no clue what they were talking about so, being the jokester that I am I turned to another team member who is close to my age and said out loud, "Hey, have you heard the latest 8-track from the Bay City Rollers? Wasn't it far out?" You should have seen the looks I got from those young ladies. Blank stares! 😀
Next month I am turning 62. I have to admit my body feels like it's going to be 62 every morning. I wake up with the same back and shoulder pain. I sometimes make "my father's noise" when I get out of bed. I realize I can't do the things I did when I was 15. Back then I loved playing sports ... football, baseball, street hockey, tennis ...I stunk at playing basketball! I do admit one thing. My body says it will be 62, but many times my brain tells me I am turning 22. I don't come home from work and grab a basketball and shoot baskets like I did after school as a kid. Many times, I sit on my couch so I can catch my breath. I do like to go to the gym, and I realize I am not going there to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger, but to try to improve on Dave Harff's health. Life changes!
So, life does change. We grow old. We need to adjust with those changes, and, in a sense, we need to make life changes. There are things I cannot do that I did 25-30 years ago. I need to make adjustments. Yes, I admit, it's time to slow down. Did I just write that? I love staying active, but I also realize I need to make those necessary life changes. I learned this past year that my days as a children's pastor are probably over. I'm sure a local church would rather have a young guy or girl leading their kid's ministry instead of a gray-haired guy. I know I have the experience, but I also know it's time to "turn the page" and move on to other things. It doesn't mean I plan on stopping with Grandpa Lou and company. My goal is to go into libraries with a program to encourage kids in their lives but most of all to be a "light in the darkness." I have developed a character I call "Inspector Chili Beanie" who will bring the kids on a "super sleuth" adventure at my proposed library program. I also see myself getting involved in a local ministry more so than a church. Possibly with the needy. There are needs everywhere so by the end of this year, after my sabbatical, my prayer is to be involved somewhere. Please keep me in prayer about this.
I would like to end by quoting a line from the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off. "Life moves pretty fast! If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." Life does move fast! I just want to enjoy every second the Good Lord has me here. I want to make a difference in our world. It could be from my writing, doing a library program or doing whatever he is calling me to do. I just want to enjoy my life changes as we enter the second half of this decade. Who knows how much more time I have here? 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God." I have clearly learned to be thankful during the good, the bad and the ugly things in life. As long as I am breathing here on earth I just want to give and do my best! How about you?
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND HAVE A GREAT LIFE, FRIENDS!!
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