![]() My sister had a birthday last week, and she turned (wait for it) 70. You have got to be kidding…70? How is that even possible? It didn’t really bother me when I turned 30, or 40, or 50, or even 60, but since my older sister hit the big seven-zero, I only have a little bit over 2 years before I am facing 70 myself. I remember older people telling me how fast life goes by; since I never thought I’d actually escape from 1st grade (bored out of my mind, I was), I could not relate. However, it is true…life goes by rather and expectedly fast. Now, please note, that I’m not throwing in the towel. I have not even retired. I have ambitions, dreams, plans, and a long list of things that I will probably never get around to doing. I know that it sounds crazy, but I would like to learn how to paint, write a book, take some dancing lessons, turn out an overdue vocal album, do some ocean sailing, climb every 12,000 foot plus peak in Idaho, try out some winter camping in the San Juan mountains, spend a month on a semi-deserted island in the South Pacific… You know what, my list is eclectic and too long to share. I realize that every day needs to be a carpe diem day. I need to live in the moment and make the most out of whatever time is left. I do the calculations: “If I live to be as old as my dad, I have at least 25 years to go and counting…because my dad is still living.” Since there are no guarantees as to the length of my life, I want to make sure that all the loose ends have been tied; I want to make sure that all my friends and family know that I love them; I want to make sure that Jesus remains my first love; I want to leave as much wealth and land to my kids and grandkids as possible (just cause); and I want to act in such a manner as to put a smile on Jody’s face every day. As I approach the last chapter in my life, I am very much aware of the fact that this world is not my home. Although I have a deep love for all things that are beautiful; be it music, a scenic view, a young child’s face, the spark in someone’s eye who just “got it,” or the warm embrace of a friend; there are a lot of things about this world that I am ready to leave behind. Can you say politics? Or a culture that is saturated in darkness? Or escalating violence and boorish behavior? Indeed, there is an over-abundance of foolishness, heartbreak, viciousness, and needless human suffering that I will be glad to leave behind. So, what does that all mean? It means that I love my life in the here and now, but I am convinced that I will love the life to come even more! With all that in mind, I plan to take on the big seven-zero without a whimper or a complaint. If I pass from this world before that time, please know that it was simply the right time to go on to something better!
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AuthorsWriting and Musing from former students and graduates of Northwest University. Archives
February 2024
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