It’s amazing how, when we describe how long we’ve been doing something, or how old we may be, or how long we’ve been at our job, etc., the choice of some words makes us sound just plain old, while other words might make us sound somewhat “regal.”

Don’t get me wrong, age is just a number, as far as I’m concerned. I know my birth certificate says I’m a senior citizen (though I still prefer AARPer) at this point in my life, but I still feel active. I still walk, ride my stationary bike, coach and officiate if I choose to return to that activity. I can still wield a hammer (though my perception sometimes places my thumb in the place of the nail), and I do all of this even though my chronological age might indicate that I should be sitting in my rocker, on my front porch, being that guy who yells at the neighborhood kids, (come on … we all had one of those guys in our neighborhood growing up). Maybe if I was this age 30 years ago that might be the case, but I’m not ready for that quite yet. Today they say that 40 is the new 20, so I figure my 64 should be about only 45 or so now, and I’ll continue to accept challenges and undertake new projects that pique my interest and/or desire.

There are times when my body creaks some, hurts some and aches even more, and doesn’t work as well as I want it to, but I’m very fortunate to be able to get up every morning, put both feet on the floor, and do whatever I have planned for whatever day, which may include teaching, coaching, doing projects around the house, enjoying some good weather or family outing, taking a vacation, or catching a ballgame or concert. I can enjoy these things that I’m still privileged to do even with the aches and pains, and more frequent visits to various doctors, than I made in my younger, more stubborn, days. I look at it this way … I drive a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee that I’ve driven for the past near 16 years. It’s been durable, dependable, but has needed repair work (and some “surgery” … especially after our recent encounter with a semi-trailer) during those years, and now makes a few more rattles, creaks and squeaks, and may need some replacement parts from time to time. Funny, I just described my life as I have gotten older. Despite this advancement in years of life, I don’t consider myself “old” or “geriatric,” I rather think of myself as reaching regal status years-wise.

Think about it. Before retirement, I taught for 33 years, and have substituted for nine years after retirement. The numbers have a certain “Wow, you are old,” connotation, but if I said my teaching career spanned a third of a century, (more than four-tenths if you include subbing) it has more of a sound of sophistication and/or regality. I guess it’s just the way it filters through the brain.

I can look at the 37-plus years I’ve spent in marriage to my best friend, Sally. Again, 37 years sounds like a long time, and we hope it will last way, way, way, longer, but again, we’ve spent over a third (quickly approaching four-tenths) of a century in the companionship of each other, through the good times and bad times, times richer and poorer, some in sickness some in good health, and look forward to surpassing a half century plus more if the Good Lord doesn’t need us anytime soon. Thirty-seven years together, “Wow, we’re old.” More than a third of a century as husband and wife together, “Wow, what a magical romance we’ve had.” I guess it’s all in how you perceive it.

I spent 24 years as a local baseball umpire. Twenty-four years being second guessed many times. Twenty-four years worth of the kindness of others suggesting I visit my local eye doctor. Twenty-four years of getting to watch baseball up close and personal. Twenty-four years of being part of the game I love. But 24 years, “Wow, that’s a long time!” When I look back on my time officiating, I’m proud to be able to say I was an important part of serving youth and community in that capacity for just shy of a quarter of a century. Not sure if the sound of that changes anyone’s feelings about my judgment, or the quality of my eye sight, but I like the way it sounds, and it makes me feel like my service warranted some respect, if not necessarily from the players, coaches and/or fans, but just from me.

This past spring, I was fortunate to have been able to complete my 49th consecutive year of coaching and/or officiating, youth and sports in this community. Forty-nine years! Wow, I’m either very old, or I haven’t grown up yet. I hope it’s the latter. It sounds like I should’ve put my ball and glove, my indicator and plate shoes away years ago, having served that long, but I prefer to look at it as I’m one year away from having done things I’ve loved doing for half a century. (By the way, I’m returning to coach Falconer softball next spring.) Half a century! Doesn’t that sound a bit more regal than 49 or 50 years? It just puts a different spin on it, from my perspective. Stating number of years almost makes it sound like it’s been years of drudgery, or a behavior rehabilitation sentence, while the reference to longevity gives an air of pride and accomplishment. And I’m just a “toddler” compared to some who serve, or have served, our area communities in teaching, coaching, officiating and/or their chosen field of employment or volunteer service for a quarter, third, four-tenths, half, and even six-tenths plus of a century in some of the activities listed. That list has included Russ Diethrick, Jim Roselle (R.I.P), Paul Cooley, Christine Schnars, Jim Riggs (R.I.P), Scott Kindberg, Art Asquith, Roger McTavish, Jim McCusker (R.I.P), Dr. Lillian Ney, Lyle Parkhurst (R.I.P), Brian Bogey, Tom Priester, Bill Hammond, Greg Peterson, Greg Moran, Bob Terreberry, Terry Heslink, mentioning a few I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and/or seeing through my longevity in this community. A tip of the chapeau, a hearty “Thank You,” and a ton of admiration to them and all others, who have given so much of themselves and have achieved longevity, in any capacity or position, in which they served.

I’ve been lucky, very lucky! I’ve enjoyed fairly good health, though I didn’t always do what was best for my body, and my body sent messages to me saying I better start taking care of myself or my longevity might have become a “shortgevity”(please learn from my stupidity) if not careful. I’m extremely grateful, though, for the opportunities which I’ve been given, and very grateful to the people who gave them to me which allowed me to be a part of them, and I’m grateful for the time I’ve been on this earth with which I have been able to experience them. I hope I have many more mornings left to plant my two feet on the floor, and continue to be able to do something productive for my family, my community, and/or fun and personal reward for me.

So when we all hear someone speak of the number of years they have been doing something, please let’s not think of it in terms of years or age, but in terms of longevity, and may all of us enjoy long, long, long longevities in all aspects, experiences and activities of our lives.