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Happy Birthday Linda!
September 11, 2016
By George Stroh
An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above Jewels. (Proverbs 31:10)
Dearest Linda,
Being much older than you (71), I feel that I have the right and obligation to pass along some random things I have learned to my amazing wife of over 50 years on the milestone of her turning 70 this year. You really don't look or act your age! Not fair to the other women your age... But I like it!
First of all, contrary to what you may have heard, there are a few advantages to reaching the age of 70. We undoubtedly have more wisdom than when we were younger, although we may not remember much of it. Also, we don’t have to worry about a mid-life crisis and if we did have one, we hopefully have gotten through it by now. Finally, we no longer have to worry about dying prematurely.
They say that 70 is the new 50. I don’t know who “they “ are, but the only way that 70 is the new 50 is if you died 20 years ago and nobody noticed.
If you haven’t already done so, at 70 you may want to make a few adjustments to your daily schedule. Naps are no longer a luxury, they are a priority. You may have to spend more time looking for and being in bathrooms. This is probably more of an issue for men than for women. I sometimes don’t make it to the end of long movies, concerts and meetings, but have learned that I probably didn’t miss much. Stop, bend down and smell the flowers, but realize that you may need some help standing back up. Try to be more efficient. As George Burns once said about getting older, “When I bend over to tie my shoes, I now ask myself what else I can do while I’m down here!”
A lot of things that once seemed important are less so now and you will have more appreciation for some things, activities and people that you once took for granted. You will still want to meet new people, but also want to spend more time with family and friends, especially older friends. So many are gone now that we wish we could still talk to and, more importantly, listen to. There are no promised days for any of us.
It has been said, and I agree, that when we near the end of life, most of us will have more regrets about what we didn’t do or try to do than what we did do and failed trying. Also, although there are things I have said to you and others that I now regret, there are kind, encouraging, thoughtful things I also really regret having not said when I had the opportunity to do so; For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man... (James 3:2)
Anyway, I encourage you to continue to make the most of the time and opportunities that the Lord gives you each day. Remember and learn from the past, but plan for the future. Set goals, lean forward into life’s adventures and even life’s trials; Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials. (James 1:2) And always remember to trust and obey the Lord; ...whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31) To Him be the glory. Maranatha!
Linda, I will Love you forever. Happy Birthday!
George
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