Harold Keller / L’Observateur / November 24, 2000

Satchel Paige was in his late 40s when he first had a chance to pitch in the American League. He was one of the great pitchers in the old Negro Leagueand, after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in the all-white big leagues, Satchel finally got his chance with the Cleveland Indians.

Of course, his age was always the subject of conversation. He once answereda question with this question: “How old would you be if you didnt know how old you were?” An honest answer to that question depends on an honest admission of one’s attitude.

If we live long enough, we will all enter the group called “senior citizens.” Ifour attitude is right, we will enjoy golden years. Mike Ditka, the former Saintscoach, once said, “Age is a state of mind.”Last week, I was reading L’Observateur and noticed that Sheriff Wayne L.

Jones was again going to host a senior citizens’ Thanksgiving dinner. My firstthought was to ask the sheriff if he didn’t mind if I attended. I shared myintention with Jeanne and she said, “Why do you have to ask? We’re senior citizens.”I’m 66 years old and I never think of myself as a senior citizen. Is it a funnyfeeling? No. It’s just a benefit for which I never realized I was entitled.When my dad died, he was 48 years old and I was 19. I thought 48 was old.Now at 66, I know I’m older, but I don’t consider myself old. I can’t do a lot ofthings that I used to do, but I now do different things that satisfy my excitement for life. I heard it said many times that life is for living and thatthe people who fear death and old age the most are the people who are afraid to live life to the fullest, one day at a time.

Someone once said that it’s too bad youth has to be wasted on the young. Myfeeling is that it is a tragedy for senior citizens to waste time reflecting on mised opportunities and refusing to accept the gift of growing old gracefully, thereby not enjoying productive, fun-loving golden years.

The Bible says that we are to run the race to win and finish the work that God has given us.

The older we get, the more we should have to offer – to God, our family, and our community.

Growing old gracefully is God’s plan for all of us who are blessed with the gift of growing older.

HAROLD KELLER writes this column as part of his affiliation with the Get High on Life religious motivational group. He may be called at 652-8477.

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