We
have played long toss for years. I have noticed that, while
his arm strength has increased dramatically, my own has
decreased alarmingly. Needless to say, it’s embarrassing
when my best efforts barely roll as far as he throws on
a straight line.
As
I said, getting old stinks ...
My
daughter, Kyan, came to visit last weekend. As a recent
college graduate living and working in California, she’s
not here very often. Listening to my wife and I talk around
the dinner table she said, “Daddy, you and Momma are starting
to bicker like old people.”
Ouch!
Getting old stinks ¼
The
electricity was finally connected at our new home in Cave
Creek. We bought ice cream, turned on the lights and the
air conditioning, and celebrated while sitting on lawn chairs
in our empty home.
We
admired our library now overflowing with books. We fiddled
around with the new Internet and phone connection. We shared
Kyan’s excitement for her first grown‑up job, and
the car she is planning to purchase. We made plans for Kyle’s
return to school and a soccer tournament Kurt has
next weekend in California. Perhaps we can juggle things
to be together again soon.
The
boys ate mint chip ice cream. The girls and I enjoyed java
chip. Plastic spoons and paper
bowls. Simple, relaxed conversation. Three nearly‑grown
children and two forty‑something parents sitting on
lawn chairs in an empty home enjoying ice cream and one
another.
Now
that I think of it, getting old rocks.
Steve
Gilbertson is the pastor of Sanctuary, a church in the heart
of Cave Creek. To contact him or read more of his writing,
call (480) 510‑9518, or visit www.sanctuarytoday.com.
