When I still feel like a kid, it’s very hard to think of my kids as grown adults with kids. But it’s happened, and the stages of life have progressed with abandon. Big anniversaries and reunions have passed.

This can’t be, I’m still dancing around to the music, I’m creating more than I did when I was in my 20s and inspired. I see endless ideas and opportunities.

The mind feels as young as it ever did most days.

It’s the damn body that is the reminder. That look in the mirror and seeing grey. Just for the record grey doesn’t bother me. It’s a normal part of aging. You won’t find me coloring my beard or hair. But that grey wasn’t there at 40 or 50 and a few that were barely noticeable at 60, are now the predominant population in the beard. And now it’s moving north and the temples are starting to lose that brown color.

Things taken for granted like walking and hiking can be dangerous to attempt now. Turning an ankle is one thing. Done that a hundred times as a youth. But I bet the turned ankle now would result in a fall which might result in another injury.

The number of people getting pieces of them replaced is incredible. Hips, knees, shoulders and I guess more that I don’t know about.

I hurt my knee months ago playing with a grandchild. But that won’t stop me. Sometime my grandson can ride on my back and it’s no issue. Other times not. But this horse will still saddle him up. I’ll do that and do anything to make them happy and laugh.

Happily, by the time they are getting to the age where physical rides on Papa and races and wrestling matches will fade and they will see that Papa could use some help and give me a hand around the house and yard when they visit.

Of course, I have a hard time admitting I can’t do anything. Not that I’m any master tradesman, I just have skills that have gotten me by without a tremendous amount of assistance.

I hope I don’t lose that youthful mindset, but reality is in that mirror each day. That is why I avoid them.

Random Thoughts of the Day

• Watching the wind move the tops of trees is like watching nature dance.
• Watching and enjoying it is good. Watching and learning is good. Watching and being moved to thought, emotion or action is good. Watching and getting nothing is a waste of time.
• Watching the speed of days increase as we age.
• Watching the screen gets more difficult to see with time.