These Times They Are a Changing

Many years ago, this was a hit song that described the social changes influencing our lives, written by Bob Dylan in the 60’s. It now appears that we are facing similar changes in ways that we could not have realized: AI, texting. social media, music streaming, Alexa, and instant information available about everything.

Today, however, I am reflecting on what has not changed in finding joy and peace in our everyday lives. Enjoying the simple things at each moment that do not require technology. Enjoying the natural events in our lives that focus on friends, family, and our faith. I marvel and strive to be in the same mindset that the Apostle Paul stated, that he learned to be peaceful in every situation in life.

Today, I am looking back on the last year. This was an important time for me as I was reaching a new milestone and entering the 70’s club. When my wife and kids asked what I would like to do for my birthday, did I want a party or go out to dinner, and what present would I like? I responded that what I really want to do is hike up the Dicky Ridge trail to the visitor’s center by myself. After some pushback from my family, they agreed that if that was what I wanted to do, they would support me if I took my phone and plenty of water.

The morning of my birthday, I packed and drove to the trailhead with great anticipation. The goal was to reach the top, since it was mostly straight up the mountain. In my younger days, I had run the trail. My expectations that day were much less aggressive. My pace was slow but steady, and the morning temperature was cool and refreshing. Just the same, I had forgotten that in some places the steepness of the walk was more challenging than I remembered from my younger days.

There were highlights that were totally unexpected and unplanned. The first was meeting the great park rangers, men and women, doing repairs on the trail, youngsters from my point of view. We talked, and I followed their vehicles after they completed their task and continued onward. They were very encouraging and said they hoped that, when they turned seventy, they would be able to enjoy the trail as I was. The next unexpected situation was when the hike turned extremely hot and steep, and I asked myself why I was pushing so hard to finish. I was not in a race or hurry. I needed to just slow down the pace. I realized at that moment that for most of our lives, we are always in a hurry to finish most things and never enjoy the moment.

Sometime after that, I thought I might have taken the wrong trail and could be wandering for days in the woods. In a semi-panicky state of mind, I said a little prayer for God to help me. I sat down on a log to drink some water. As I was getting up, I swung my backpack around. The awkward weight knocked me off balance, and I fell onto the backside of the log. In mid-flight, I feared I would hit my head and thanked God that I listened to my wife and took my cell phone so she could find my body. Well, the outcome was just to laugh at myself and be glad no one was around to witness this embarrassing moment. I was then greeted by a family coming down the trail. They informed me that it was only a quarter of a mile to the visitor center.

My unexpected events did not stop there. When I reached the center, I met another couple visiting the park, originally from California, now living in Virginia Beach. It was their first time on the drive. After a very pleasant conversation, they asked me if I wanted a ride to my car. I gladly accepted. As we were riding back down the mountain, I invited them to join me at the Rappahannock winery for drinks, which they accepted. We enjoyed several wonderful hours topped with great conversation.

When I got home, my wife said she was tracking my location on my phone and was worried when I moved from the drive to the winery. I told her this story. She laughed and asked me if I had a good birthday. I said it was one of the best. It was totally unplanned, and I made new friends.

Fast forward to this year. Seventy-one is coming up. However, this year is presenting new challenges, not bad but different. This year I will be unable to hike because of some medical procedures that had to be addressed. I did not know that a hernia repair could take you out of action for several weeks. So, this birthday’s adventure will be delayed.

The goal of this story is to share several very important things I have discovered with friends.

Even though we are more mature, there are still a lot of adventures to be had if we don’t limit ourselves by focusing more on what we cannot do than on what we can

We don’t need technology to connect with each other.

Stay in the life game. Don’t be fearful. Laugh more. Stop being so controlling. There is a slogan about buying a lottery ticket that says, “You can’t win if you don’t play.”

Lastly, we must take care of our health. This allows us the freedom not to isolate from one another or become too self-absorbed.

We are expecting our first grandchild in May, and I’m getting excited about all the new adventures we will have together, unplanned and spontaneous.

Splendid!

Michael Graham
Front Royal, VA

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