Pondering can get out of hand… I find it a good way to get things off my mind but then sometimes it brings on just the opposite. I need to get this age thing off my mind but somehow it is now a national obsession…Thanks Joe. Three years ago we were introduced to Papa Joe, he was presented as a kind of “grandfather figure” kind, understanding, reasonable and sympathetic, highly qualified. History presents age as a thing of wisdom gained over time, to be respected, valued and very much part of our daily lives. What we don’t seem to consider is the fact that people age differently. I will be 81 in a few months and I will share this with you…Me and Joe, we are old, not getting old, we are old. I look at it like a huge storm coming through… some of us will do well, others will suffer some damage…none of us will ever be the same as we were before the storm. I am trying to paint a picture here. There are people who tell me “for 80 you sure look good.” I have a 15 year old car that still looks good but it does not run as well as it used to. Joe, you and me are old. I am not going to turn this into a political thing it’s about age. I am not as sharp as I used to be, I don’t walk…I shuffle and have fell a couple of times, which I like to attribute to tripping. I forget things and have at times even forgot which direction I was going. There are a few things us old folks need to consider giving up. One thing that comes to my mind is driving a car because if I mess up I could hurt some people. The other is leadership…I used to teach Sunday School Classes but I just am not clear minded enough or quick enough for a leadership position in that at this time. We are old Joe and the porch is a good place to sit and watch the young dogs run. 

jk