FEELINGS IN GROWING OLDER

As a young person, I observed people dying, both senior and young, but I really did not stop to consider what life would be like as I entered those latter years. When I was younger, I kept making plans for the future such as buying a home, getting a new car, possible career change, taking care of my children, crossing paths with the "right" people, how best to serve the Lord, dealing with parents who were getting close to the end, etc. Now as I enter the latter phases of life on this planet, making plans for what is left in life is taking a turn I never considered until recently. About two months ago, I broke off a piece of a tooth that anchored my bridge. That led me to consider how much money I wanted to invest in my mouth. Instead of thinking about buying new things, I am thinking my present car may be my last. I find myself thinking I have accomplished so little with the talent God has provided and that makes me sad. For the umpteenth time, I saw the ending of the movie, "For the Love of the Game." This is story about an older pitcher who played for the Detroit Tigers and was played by Kevin Costner. In the movie, Costner goes by the name of Billy Chapel and he is pitching a perfect game against the New York Yankees in the House that Ruth Built, Yankee Stadium (The great announcer Vince Skully said the Cathedral of Yankee Stadium became a Chapel during that game). In this game, Costner reflects on events in his life and finally realizes his need for his girlfriend (Kelly Preston) and his desire to spend the rest of his life with her. Previously, she had told him that he did not need her. The story ends with Costner telling her that after pitching the perfect game, this moment should have been the happiest time of his life, but because she was not there it was far less than that and he realized his need for her to be part of his life. The story ends with passionate kissing in the JFK airport.

This made me think again of how important Jesus is and how he has prepared the future for my latter days. God has been so good to me. Only He could have worked out my meeting Sue and blending our families so successfully. In our family, no one was ever called "step" anything. Jamie, Rick, and Holly were and are brother and sisters. Sue was mom and I was dad. Our children and grandchildren continue to be so precious. Holly will give us another granddaughter in July. Sue's writing career is more that we could have planned. I am involved professionally with folks I would never have thought possible. My friend Ed Watkins and I have some plans for educational institutions we believe will be of signiicant help in shaping education in public schools. Ken McClure, a long-time friend, continues to open doors for me. I just visited with Dr. Arthur Mallory who is one of my two heroes and that was special. Our WAJ workshop, under Sue's direction, is fourishing and assisting so many in their pursuit of serving God as a writer. Although I have some health concerns. the important things are good and I can still go on our patio and shoot baskets pretty well. I have no idea how my life will end, but as the song writer once penned, "I know not what the future holds, but I know who holds the future." His name is Jesus.