Growing older

Someone once said that the definition of OLD is "20 years older than you." In other words, you never get old. I am about to reach an important age that is not significant to anyone else. On December 27, I will be 53 years old. That is a very significant age for me. It is the age my Dad was when he died. It is hard to believe because my Dad was OLD. I was 16 when he died so a 53 year old man was very ancient. Since he died at that age, it reinforced my beliefs. But now, 53 doesn't seem so old.

This past week, I signed up for a free CBSSportsline fantasy basketball league. I play lots of fantasy sports that a fee is required but I signed up for this league just to practice a draft. While drafting, there is a chat room going on and I observed chat going on between several of the players. One guy asked "OK, everybody...how old are you?" One kid responded "13" and another "17." So, I typed in "52." They responded "NO WAY!!! a 52 year old doesn't play fantasy sports." The 13 year old, in all of his new teenage wisdom replied "Oh yeah....everybody has a computer these days." I laughed for a while on that one. It occurred to me that not only was I 20 years older than him, I was 41 years older. I must have been extremely old to this kid. He was just supporting my use of a computer as I sat in the senior citizens lounge at "the home."

I thank God for the years He has given me. I think about it even more that I am reaching the age that Dad passed away. I think about it when I am give the senior's discount at different establishments even though I'm not 55 yet. I think about it when I look in the mirror. I think about it when I realize that my oldest daughter, Marie, will be 30 this November. It was just yesterday that my kids gave me a surprise party when I turned 40. Marie is closer to 40 than I am. I think about it when I drive through Roswell and wonder what happened to my "Mayberry" home town. Oh well, at least I am still young enough to operate a computer.