Not Too Old—No Longer Young

The Preface

You are not too old to read this book. It is age appropriate!

Besides, it’s for those no longer young, so you can forge ahead. You too are age appropriate!!

Think about it, young ended for all of us, way back there, somewhere. We were newborns. It was our first day of life outside the womb. And then one day later, we were already two days old! The words “young” and “old” are reference points – markers along the road. For example . . .

When I was in grade school, people would ask my parents, “How’s that “young” boy of yours doing?” Oh, but I didn’t want to be a “young” boy. I wanted to be in high school, doing things those “old” kids got to do, like drive a car and play on the local basketball team. Meanwhile, the parents of those “old” kids still considered them to be “young. They had curfews to keep, and were not yet independent. “Young” and “old” are very fluid, elastic, relative terms. Shields - 2

I am “old” compared to my children and grandchildren. But I am considered “young” (at age 67) by the residents whom I serve, as chaplain in a retirement community. I think you get the point.

The “young” in years (how “young” – how many years old?) are often restless to grow “old.” While the “old” (how “old” in years – when did it happen?) often yearn to be “young” again. Add to this mix, factors such as the country lived in, the century lived in, race, ethnicity, social status, gender, health conditions, etc. etc. and a one-size-fits-all definition of “young” and “old” becomes illusive. There are the developmental stages of life. There are the emotional seasons of life. We can use the terms “young” and “old” in self-serving ways. There are so many variables.

But regardless of your age, old, older, oldest, you are not too old to read this!

And every day you are growing older, so you are no longer young, though you may be younger than, or youngest of all!

“Not Too Old – No Longer Young” is about aging – it’s about living – living the gift God has given – living as we are – living where we are.

And where are we? All of us are somewhere between birth and death. “Not Too Old (otherwise we would be dead) – No Longer Young” (we’ve seen a few birthdays come and go).

The psalmist said it very simply. “I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsake n or his children begging bread. He is ever giving liberally and lending, and his children become a blessing” (37:25-26).

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So where is this book going to take you? The pages that follow could be considered a collage. The words spread across these pages will be like colors splashed upon a canvas. The collage will introduce you to some new people. From a distance they may appear to be a collection of the very old and ordinary, rather non-descript, with the colors all running together.

But come closer. Look more carefully. Listen in. There is individuality. Bright hues and soft pastels brush up against one another - and alongside of us. There are distinctive patterns within the collage. These long-lived people, and their heretofore untold stories, have much to teach us, if we are willing to learn.

Older folks should never be dismissed as boring or useless. They should never become the forgotten ones or the disposable ones. How demeaning! How insulting! How

wrong! They are special, each in her or his own way. They are unique. They have

acquired a wealth of life-experience. They could serve as mentors for the many who

follow after them, whose life experience is considerably less than their own.

Physically speaking, seniors are stooped, some of them. They are wrinkled, most of

them. Their hair color is primarily grey (and you’re not surprised?) some silver, a few

dazzling white, and some have none at all, or may even wear a wig. Most would not stand

out in a crowd, and many would prefer to avoid crowds altogether. Some are into walking

for their daily exercise, while others exercise in the Senior Fitness Room, and still others

prefer their reclining lounge chairs!

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Most seniors are neat and tidy dressers. Many like to eat out. Most like to take naps.

Many read the newspaper and keep up with both local happenings and world events.

There are Bridge players and Bingo players (guess which game attracts the largest

crowd). There are movie watchers and baseball fans. Some enjoy crafts and some surf

the internet. And they all have a story to tell!

In the context of my ministry as a chaplain, a spiritual care-giving ministry, I’m going

to tell some of their stories. I will take you into the world of a Continuing Care

Retirement Community (CCRC) where I serve. This is a community where a lot of folks

are very active in their Independent Living, and where Assisted Living is provided when

life begins to change, and where a Skilled Nursing Facility, or Care Center as we call it,

is also located on the same campus, for individuals whose health issues have become

more serious, requiring 24/7 care.

I have had to pick and choose, but the stories are all true. Perhaps you will glean an

appreciation for the women and the men you meet, cracking a smile or shedding a tear.

Maybe you will develop a sort of bond with them, and in turn discover something about

yourself and how you feel about aging. What does it mean? How are you dealing with

it, or not dealing with it?

You are going to read stories about people who are living and about some who have

died. I know them, or I knew them, by their first name. I will only refer to them by

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their first name (and when there is a need to preserve a resident’s anonymity, I will

change the name, without altering the story, unbeknownst to you, the reader).

They are my friends. They have let me become a part of their life. They have touched my

life. Perhaps they will touch yours as well.

Finally, this collage needs a frame. The frame will consist of my pastoral care

observations – commentary - insights – things I’ve learned – things I’m still learning –

my personal Christian faith beliefs – growth experienced – struggles on-going. The

reflections of a chaplain frame this collage, a chaplain serving people like you - Not Too

Old – No Longer Young!