Onward!

This is birthday week and like a first grader waiting for a cupcake treat at school, I can’t ignore the excitement of the approach of another June 17. Thanks for 87 coming up. It might not be as impressive as the total reached by the last living survivor of D – Day or of Kissinger who both hit 100 + this past week; however, for me 87 is better than a lesser digit.

I am winding down, yet a complete stop is not in the future yet. Once I hiked the Colorado trail encouraging four girls who had not prepared for an 8th grade trip and kept wanting to turn back. This March I made a tour to Barcelona with a walker for a backup and checked off each daily demand. I never have to worry again if a bundt cake will come out of the pan in one piece. As a replacement, I still cooked a tasty pumpkin pie with a homemade crust to welcome a son who visited from Colorado. Yes, an undependable back has taken bending and tending a yard out of the easy option activities. A few years past, I changed my front lawn to native plants, so I can enjoy a return of bluebonnets, cone flowers, and golden daisies mostly because they take care of themselves.

While a gathering of decades are memories to be held close, some things are blessings to be cherished now. I like calm coffee while I sort what needs to be tackled first or be given a number for a daily list. I have friends across a broad spectrum. A few who like to do what I do drive well enough to let us both venture beyond just Swift and the church. I can visit with less than 6 year old neighbors who sit on the bench to peruse the Little Free Library. My special support is a multiple number of the Smith clan having various ages and last names. I will be celebrated and fed on Friday by those who are my adult children. To top the privileges of age, naps are permitted at any time and maybe a few words of wisdom are left to light the path of the group of come after me followers.

 Now that I am old and my hair is gray, don’t leave me, God. I must tell the next generation about your power and greatness.

Psalm 71:18-19