It ain't gettin'......It's bein'

Old that is.

You hear people say, "It's no fun getting old." I disagree. I've had a lot of fun getting old, it's being old that stinks.

I'm getting more content to sit and watch a contest on television, but really I can't let go of the competition. I've got two boys that like to play basketball, and like to see if they can take it to the old man. We play on Sunday afternoons quite often and its a lot of fun. I love running up and down the court, keeping up with or still beating the young ones to the ball. Hitting the long shot, hearing the kids say, "man your dad's pretty good."

I still like to mix it up on the softball field, still like to chase down fly balls. I'm still one of the good hitters and pretty fast. Just last year I took off and tried to get an extra base when I shouldn't have. Had to slide to make it. Cut my lip pretty bad when I collided with the 3rd baseman's knee. Hopped up and finished the game, almost got a chance to win it with the final at bat bloody face and all, but never made it to the plate. Oh, I was out at 3rd too. Insult to injury.

Still having fun, playing like a kid. In the snow a few weeks ago I herded the boys outside to play football. Knocking each other around in the snow was great. I threw a baseball at the fair last year. Guessed the speed right and won my girl a prize. 64 mph. whoopie-do. That's 20 years and 20 mph removed from my baseball glory days. Yep, I've had a lot of fun getting old. Being old however, I don't look forward to it.

Lately, my eyes get tired, some things don't focus like they used too. That's the worst of it. I can handle the aches and pains, although its more pain now than ache. And I don't bounce back as quickly as I used too. Bruise easier, heal slower. But the eyes have made me feel more mortal than anything else. Jack says I have to play softball for at least another year or two, so that when he is old enough we can play together at least once. I say I'm not sure that I'll make it that long, but if I were going to bet on it I'd say I'll probably be playing whatever kid games I can until they carry me off the field. I'll keep having fun getting old until being old takes over.

Now if someone could help me up out of this chair, it's time to get ready for church.

Anyone...........

Please?