As it turns out, I’m the oldest employee at work–well, I’m even older than the owners of the business. The youngest person in the office is 25-years’ my junior, the oldest is still several years younger than me. One of the guys who is 20 years younger than me asked me an interesting question a couple of days ago, “why is it that you’re never sick like the rest of us are all the time?” Without hesitation, I profoundly responded, “because you all still have little mobile petri dishes running around your homes. I’m immune.” See what you have to look forward to? I have a personal policy at work to not allow people to stand too close to me when engaging in office chat and I don’t share the dishes in the community break room. I always wash my hands after shaking with someone who has children. Absolutely no hugging in the office. That’s just creepy anyway. Who does that?
Cassie and Cheer Relaxing
Now, before some of you get bent out of shape, I’m not the healthiest frog in the pond. I’ve got high cholesterol and I’m sporting an olderly guy belly (I can still see my feet, though). I hate salads, even though I eat them a couple of times a week, I’m 25-30 lbs over weight and I really enjoy cookies–preferably chocolate chip but I’m okay with just about anything that looks like a cookie. I see my doctor at least twice each year.
I’m at the age where it is recommended that we get flu/pneumonia/shingles, etc. shots and multiple vitamins with silver on the label.
I have aches and pains in places that I didn’t know existed; heck, I even hurt when my wife hurts. It takes me 2 days to complete and another 2 days to recover from what it used to take me 30 minutes to accomplish. However, there be a trade off.
Though I may not be as quick as I used to be, I am mentally sharper than a good #2 pencil after exiting the sharpener; I thirst for information to keep my mind active and I hunger for spiritual enlightenment; my creative outlets are much more satisfying and healing. I still don’t have the patience for adult coloring books, but I truly enjoy writing and watercolor painting.
When I was younger, I thought I was pretty smart but now I enjoy knowing and not thinking that I know what’s in my head. I’m pleased to learn something new that I was afraid of because I didn’t know I could learn it, such as, how to build a solar generator. I may fear falling from a ladder and breaking my wrist and damaging my shoulder again but I don’t fear anyone or what they may think of me. There’s an interesting peace in knowing that the everyday crap doesn’t bother you anymore. Okay, young people with crazy ideas and a complete lack of understanding bothers me a bit but I get over it. It’s amazing how much the older folks I knew when I was younger learned so much as I got older.
I’m very pleased where I am now–I don’t think I was truly content when I was a younger person.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d gladly have a cold or some other contagion if my grand kids were here where we could visit with them daily or even monthly but that’s the trade off.
I praise God everyday and am thankful for who I am today. I am grateful for my peace and any blessings I can find (and even those I’m not aware of)–especially my wife. Don’t let anyone tell you that she is not a blessing. And, of course, our fur babies.
I pray and wish for all of you the same peace and self-awareness that I have accomplished, thus far. It doesn’t mean that I’m not frustrated or irritated by the world, I am, but it doesn’t rule me any longer.
I turn it over to Christ Jesus and get on with the rest of the day.
Jay 🙂
Philippians 4:6 (ESV)
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
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