On aging

Ted. During our brief two month stay in Georgia I have made two trips to Denver to spend time with my 93 year old Father. He was hospitalized twice while we were in Spain and it was tough being so far away. 

Dad still lives on his own, but, frankly, that is only possible because of the support he receives from my two wonderful sisters. 

On this last visit I crossed paths with Dad’s buddy Fred who just turned 101. Fred is always anxious to hear about my travels and ends our chats by saying “Keep going, Ted. Go while you still can!” 

Judy and I receive constant encouragement from family and our many friends around the world. Like Dad, I’m not sure our lives would be possible without the strength we gain from kind words. 

As septuagenarians, we see firsthand that “getting old is not for sissies.” We know many people who are struggling with chronic pain and debilitating diseases. In more and more cases, we pray for their suffering to end… which it ultimately does. 

Meanwhile, what gets folks like my Dad up every morning? Is it medication and treatment? I rather think they get more from the cheerleaders in their lives who greet them with a smile saying, “Keep going!” 

In my favorite scene from that classic film Chariots of Fire, Eric Liddell is preaching from chapter 40 of Isaiah as scenes of stumbling Olympic runners flash across the screen. He concludes with verse 31:

“…they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint.” 

If I am, in some small way, like an eagle, than people like Fred are my wings.