Not everyone lives a long life, in fact statistically 50 percent of the US population dies by age 60 and by age 65 that statistic is 87.5 percent. It’s a fact that everyone that is born is destined to die, but not everyone will grow old. Besides not talking or wanting to discuss this fact our busy lifestyles make the fact easy to ignore.
When we have a brush with death or a life threatening health concern we realize life is fragile indeed. We might even take the time to re-evaluate how we have lived our lives thus far. On one’s deathbed no one ever said “I wish I would have worked more,” or “I wish I had more possessions.” Rather their focus is keenly clear realizing that family, friends and people are what really matter. Finally free from the daily grind of striving to achieve financial goals, competing in the work world, pursuing success in all levels of their lives they discover the purpose of life and what brings real and lasting joy to their lives.
Old age is the ripening of life not its deterioration. As our body ages we often feel betrayed by time, but if that is the case we are truly failing to see where the strength of our age lies. As strength and stamina diminishes our knowledge, experience, wisdom and spirituality becomes an ever increasing and formidable counter-weight. At an age when many professional teachers retire the average elderly is aptly suited to teach, counsel and mentor the youth. In fact, the elderly and the youth benefit from such interaction; the children gain insight and the elderly learn how to be child-like again.
We think the future belongs to the youth, but it belongs to the elderly in an even larger fashion. The elderly no longer has the financial responsibilities to prevent them from venturing in areas that won’t pay the bills. Seniors may decide to volunteer at their church, take piano lessons, read, hike, and golf or attend bible study. Every day can be the first day of the rest of their lives. Their lives no longer need to be void of personal growth and satisfaction. Their social interaction becomes a sharing of what they have gained from their advancing years, enriching the lives of others.
Most importantly the elderly is given the opportunity to accept the truth that more of their earthly existence lies behind them than ahead of them and they begin to make peace with things that don’t really matter in the scheme of eternal life. Aging can be a natural part of life that is spiritually contemplative, reflective and productive; realizing all the bumps and bruises life gave them along the way brought them to this very point in their lives. That forgiveness of oneself and others, and accepting their present reality can be a deeply rewarding way to true and lasting peace. Peace that will see them to and through their earthly passing, the peace that surpasses all understanding.
It might seem nice to learn these old age lessons without facing our own mortality but such reflective opportunities are exactly what makes growing old a blessing.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Tonight, October 20 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. the Versailles American Legion Auxiliary will hold a garage sale at the Vets Club.
Saturday, October 21 is Sweetest Day and the Versailles Eagles Auxiliary is hosting a Poker Walk beginning at 3:30 p.m. and concludes at 7. Cost is $10 per person which includes a sandwich meal and door prize opportunities.
Wednesday, October 25 at 7 .m. in the Versailles High School cafeteria the community will be given an opportunity to meet the VHS Board of Education Candidates. Also on Wednesday at 7 p.m. the Village Council will hold their “open to the public” meeting in the Village Hall at 4 W. Main Street.
Mark your calendars for the Annual Versailles Athletic Boosters Dinner Auction next Saturday, October 28. Admission will be $20 each or 2 for $30. For reservations contact Cathy Peters at 937-214-2974. Sunday, October 29 from 2 – 4 p.m. will be Trick-or-Treat in Versailles.
Congratulations to Homecoming Queen Cali Groff, daughter of Denise and Chris Groff and King Kyle Wuebker, son of Sarah and Alan Wuebker. Congratulations to Gus’s Creamery for officially opening October 18 and having an extremely busy day from 6:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Happy to Kate Simmons, Cheryl Fine, Kaylin Richard, Eric Behlke, Nicci Keiser, Carolyn Smith, Kathy Hoelscher, Mariah Poeppelman, Shyann McKenna, Kay Dapore, Megan Subler, Pat Crowell, Karen Burt, Erin Horst, Sara Lester, Danielle Myers, Kevin Crawford, Pat Hubler, Jeanine Davidson, Donna Monnin, Connie McEldowney, Susan Kunk, Ginger Brubaker, Tom Donnelly, Art Boring, Dale Borchers, Sharon Monnin, Hillary Holzapfel, Jordan Lewis, Ericka Berman, Eli Cornett, and Carley Holzapfel as their birthdays approach as well as, anniversary wishes to Emily and Rick Clark (13), Ashlee & John Rogers (14), Penny and Chad Treon (15), Tara and Dan George (18), Carly and Josh Bolin (22), Sol and Joe Bulcher (25), Vicki and Ed Ruhe (28), Angie and Matt Arnold (32), Reyna and Jerry Shardo (35), Karen and John Shardo (37), Ruth and Dick Pierron (51), and Linda and Dick Kinninger (54).
Please give your supportive and healing prayers to the many who are dealing with any of life’s countless challenges, and especially for Dick Shumaker (hip replacement), John Worden, Allie Wietholter, Ed Bulcher, Jane Huber, Mary Margaret Fullenkamp, Aiden Meyer, Sylvester Meyer, Earl Gigandet, Madison Berger, Tony Gehret, Terry and Donna Black, John Magoto, Phyllis Oliver, Tim Bayless, Pooch Barga (VHCC), Chris Apple, Ruth Wirrig (VHCC), Wilma Heiby (VHCC), Carl DeMange, Rosie Cordonnier, Rhomaine Berger (VHCC), Miriam Harman, Jack Monnin, Mary Batty, Norma Magoto, Betty Kremer (VHCC), Denny Grilliot, Beverly Brown, Virginia Smith, John Subler, Mary Barga, Anabelle Subler (VHCC), Julia Billenstein, Connie (Baltes) Lechleiter, Dan Monnin, Lois Youngker, Barb Goubeaux, Eileen Rahm, Cyril Voisard (VHCC), Samantha Smith and those not mentioned by name who are recuperating, hospitalized, homebound and/or in need of our prayers.
Heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Kelley Wendeln (54), Debra Hoelscher (59), and Myron Sharp (72), also remembering within our hearts the lives Richard Dershem, Lester Linebaugh, Dan Norris, Warren Davis, Joe Schmitmeyer, Denny Petitjean, Frances Williams, Ruth Brown, Marie Meinerding, Nancy Heitkamp, Paul Barga, Patricia Heath and all those not mentioned by name as the anniversary of their recently passing nears.
“Aging gracefully is fine but I prefer aging with grace.” ~C. Edwards
“Life would be infinitely happier if we could only be born at the age of eighty and gradually approach eighteen.” ~Mark Twain
“Those who love deeply never grow old; they may die of old age, but they die young.” ~Benjamin Franklin
