The Cracked Acorn: Old Age

Now Israel’s eyes were failing because of old age, and he could hardly see… Genesis 48:10.

Lately, I have been observing older people…Here are my conclusions!

1) We take our time–I have seen older gentlemen come out of the grocery store with many plastic bags and take their time placing them into the trunk of a car. It is one bag in and then turn around and then another bag and move the cart, the whole loading sequence can take several minutes-then to return the cart. Young people throw the stuff into the car and away they go at super speed.

2) Try to talk to us in a public parking lot– We first look up as though God had spoken, then a glance around the lot with Pearl Harbor radar to zoom in on the speaker. Then it is the often quoted Hollywood line,”Are you speaking to me? I see no one else around then you must be speaking to me.”

3)Youth–I am definitely not part of the younger generation and cannot be loaded into a school bus. I always make the long walk to the mail box , I could be yanked into a passing car(but I doubt it!) if I am taken, I would just talk and talk–they would let me go after an hour or so. Most of the cars that stop when I am walking are asking for directions to Fredericksburg. “What’s going on in Fredericksburg?” (I should say – Down the road 30 miles and take a left!)Ah! Youth is a wonderful thing. What a crime to waste it on children.

4) Food labels—everything listed is probably bad for me! I know I could live a little longer or it would just seem that way! I was always thin and now I can drive through the McDonalds and get a large chocolate milkshake. The days of pegged trousers are far behind and I now wear casual clothing that is comfortable but not too baggy or else someone will ask if I am on a diet or now many months do I have left.

5) Bamboo–I see these tiny sprouts in small pots for sale at WalMart. Many do not know the danger of these Middle Eastern plants. Older people do not fear them. With our limited time we can set them in the back yard and watch them take over everything and threaten the lawns and open spaces of our neighbors. This is amusing if you are tired of watching television. These durable plants will even defy ROUNDUP.

Old age is the fruition of a moral life and God’s favor. (Deuteronomy 5:33)
Old age is a general part of God’s purpose for a normal life. (Genesis 25:8)
Old age is one reward of those who honor their parents. (Exodus 20:12)

An elderly woman decided to have her portrait painted. She told the artist “Paint me with diamond earrings, a diamond necklace, emerald bracelets, a ruby broach, and a gold Rolex.”
“But you are not wearing any of those things” replied the artist.
“I know,” she said. “It’s in case I should die before my husband. I’m sure he will remarry right away, and I want his new wife to go crazy looking for the jewelry.”