Senior Greg

In honor of my birthday being this month, I thought I would share some of my thoughts with a real life example.


June 8, 2011 will live in infamy...or, at least, my memory. This is the day, while paying for my meal at IHOP, I was asked by the cashier, “Don’t take this wrong…but are you 55 or older?” Well, with my cherub-like demeanor being tested I simply muttered a, “No, I’m only 51, thank you.” Silver lining…she gave me the senior discount anyway.

Hey, I’m still a boy inside so that’s what counts, right? Well that’s what I keep telling myself anyways. Growing older--at least the perception of getting older--can be deferred for a while...until those nasty, relentless tell-tales keep harping on you. Hair color, body aches, stamina, seeing your kids get older...yes, even an innocent cashier at IHOP asking if you’re over 55. Eventually your days of deferral will be over.

I’m learning to embrace the truth and just go with it. I look at my lovely wife and she still looks close to 15...the age when I started dating her so many moons ago. She’s actually more beautiful now (and I’m not just saying that because I know she’ll read this at some point)...she truly has aged with a seeming time-warp in her pocket. I don’t envy that, though. I just consider myself extremely lucky to be able to spend the rest of my life with her.

All this to say...aging is clearly inevitable and the only power you have over it is your attitude towards it. Go ahead, take that meal discount with pride and stop looking forward to the end of the journey, but rather relish the process as it unfolds with all its challenges and rewards. God is with you through it all and that is a truth that keeps me centered in this inescapable reality.

Older, and hopefully wiser.

Greg Morton
© August 2011

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