Do you ever wonder what you will be like when you reach the age of eighty? Do you imagine yourself sitting on a porch rocking chair and reminiscing about the good old days? Let me give you a different picture. This weekend, my dad turns eighty and one thing he refuses to do is to sit and remember. When I reach the age of eighty, I want to keep living, learning and giving like my dad.  

If you will indulge me for a few minutes, I”d like to honor Dad and let him know what I am learning from his example. Here’s what your life at 80 could look like. 

Life is meant to be lived.  Dad, I have never known you to live in a state of reminiscence. It’s not that you don't think back on things, but you don't live there. You have always been one to be thinking ahead. I imagine that made you good at your IBM job. Doesn’t that seem like a long time ago? Your life has been so full since you retired because thinking ahead keeps you living. Now, you and Mom are traveling so much, I can’t keep track of your trips. You finish one excursion and start planning the next. You have been so many places and tried so many things. And you aren’t letting more birthdays slow that down. You continue to go new places and do new things. You continue to live your life forward, not looking back. You live now and don’t consider your best living behind you. At least, you don't appear to. Living forward is what keeps you from getting old. Thanks, Dad. 

Learning lasts a lifetime. Dad, I love that you are always learning something. Your volunteer work preparing taxes means that you always have to be learning how the tax laws change. (No comments on taxes now. That doesn’t do anyone any good!) Your willingness to keep up and keep learning so that you can help someone else is such a wonderful example and that example also extends beyond taxes. You aren’t a carpenter and never worked in construction, but you continue to learn as you volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together. 

You also keep learning through staying physically active. Your commitment to keep walking more miles than people half your age even attempt and to keep playing racquetball mean that you are always problem-solving. Any kind of sport, whether individual like walking or competitive like racquetball, keeps your mind active as well as your body. 

You’ve also taken it upon yourself to get a smart phone and iPad and learn to use them. You aren’t one who has ever wanted to be left behind. Changing technology has challenged everyone to keep learning and you have kept the pace. You have never used age as a reason not to try. You have never used age as a reason to stay behind. Thanks, Dad. 

Love is the best motivation. Dad, you like to stay busy. That is a fact that none of us would debate. But you are most committed to get busy when you see a task that needs to be accomplished for someone you love. You don’t hesitate to get busy helping. You have helped all four of  your children in one way or another as we have had stuff to do around our homes. You have used your resources, mental, physical and financial, when any of us have needed help. I know that Tom and I could not have purchased a home without your help. But you gave us so much more than money. You gave us time. You painted, repaired and gardened. You chainsawed downed trees and spent hours helping us clean up after that October snowstorm. If we asked for help and you were able, you were there. Everything that you have been willing to do as a community volunteer you have been willing to do for your family, and with even more zeal. Thanks, Dad.

Dad, you have given us so much. But mostly, what you have given us is yourself. I guess the lesson I have most learned from you, Dad, could be summed up this way: Use what you have to help others, especially the people you love. 

You have helped every member of our family, from your siblings and extended family, to my siblings and our families. You have given your time, your knowledge, and your finances. Most of all, Dad, you have given us an example: Live life and don”t stop. Keep learning. Let love motivate you to keep giving. 

Thanks, Dad. Happy Birthday. 

Key thought:  Age is not a reason to stop living, learning or giving.

A Scripture to consider:  “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree... They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭92:12-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A YES challenge:  No matter what your age is, do you ever use it as a reason not to try something? How have you let age limit you? Write down one thing you will keep doing no matter what your age is. 

Prayer:  Father, help me not to use age as a reason for not doing something. I want to live fully for as long as you allow me breath. I want to keep learning for as long as I can. I want to use what I have to help others, most especiallly the people I love. Amen. 

Photo credit: Pat Giordano