Carol Moehrle
As we move through the decades of life, we often measure our age by the stage of life we are in. Our teens and early twenties are most focused on education and friends. Our late twenties through our forties are often dedicated to career and family. Our fifties and sixties find us at the end of our career, focused less on our children's milestones and more on dreams of retirement. In our seventies and eighties we are fortunate if we can measure our age by the presence of loved ones who are still in our lives.
What do we measure our age by when we turn 90? For the answer, I look to the kind, gentle, caring, and wonderful man I call Dad.
At 90 years young, Dad is still mentally and physically healthy (although he would tell you he is starting to slow down in both categories). He is an active part of our holidays and our daily lives. He still plays finger games with the babies and does magic tricks for everyone else. His favorite thing is to give and receive hugs from his grandchildren. He has always given those hugs freely and accepted them openly. He hugs with his whole body, and closes his eyes to savor the feeling and the sensations.
As I reflect on my dad's example of what 90 looks like, I am in awe. His attitude is always positive, and he never grumbles or complains. He spent much of his life farming and loves it so much that even at 90 he still makes a daily trip or two out to the farm. His personal life has always centered on his family. Dad lives life to the fullest, appreciating every blessing he has been given and sharing them freely with others.
So what can we learn from Dad? That no matter what age we are, we should be living life to its fullest. We should love deeply, laugh often, give freely, work passionately, appreciate every blessing we've been given, and not sweat the small stuff.
Thanks Dad, for showing us what 90 can look like and for modeling how to do it with grace. You are loved. We are blessed. Happy birthday.