“A Spoonful of Sugar…”

It’s been an interesting last five months for Diane and me. It started out with a left hip replacement on December 10th that worked out satisfactorily after a rough beginning. Then it was off for our annual Marco Island, Florida, adventure that turned out to be a medical marathon as I had some very serious back issues followed by—get this—a urinary tract infection (UTI). I had always assumed this was solely the province of women but found that not to be the case. Lots of itching and even a bit of female doctor exploration of my “privates.”  Is nothing sacred anymore as we age? Guess not. Then it was more “back stuff” with X-rays, two types of MRIs, bone scan, back injections, a medial nerve block, and visits to what seemed like every physician in the state of Florida. Now it seems things are better. I have had a “come to Jesus meeting” with myself realizing that there will always be challenges moving forward as we age.  All of us have our own personal issues. Enough on that topic.

Being in the 4th Quarter of life has resulted in my being a little more patient than I used to be or at least I hope so.  Having said that, there are still things that other members of the human species do that clearly irritate me. These all seemed to manifest themselves on our 1,400-mile drive back from Florida. One has to do with attempting to make a left turn at a busy intersection and finding the person in front of you, just sitting there, and not moving out into the intersection to make the turn on yellow/caution. I know, silly but “get out there, you aren’t the only person on the road.”  Next, we have the thoughtless people who when we come upon a standstill in traffic and are down to ultimately one lane each direction as we merge, decide they are entitled to “stay left” as long as possible, cutting in front of the rest of us who play by the rules. Daughter Jennifer calls this “Texas Friendly” as in that state people seem to more often use good manners and everyone takes their turn. Finally, and this one is scary, has to do with people who decide they need to text while driving. Drunk driving is bad enough but this careless and dangerous threat to public safety is serious and life threatening. When out walking and crossing an intersection, I never assume the driver sees me and am saddened by the number of times I see the driver looking down with no regard to what is happening around them. OK, suppose that concludes Gordy’s list of “old people pet peeves.”

Sometimes we come across people who do so much for others that I feel embarrassed that this writer doesn’t do more to make more of a positive impact on the world in which we live.  Some people are just “natural givers” and share much of their time and resources, financial and otherwise, to assist others. The Taylors were viewing 60 Minutes recently (which we started watching with the first episode as newlyweds in 1968), and one of the correspondents inquired of the interviewee why they were so generous/thoughtful. The answer was brief, succinct, and to the point. The response, “Because their need was greater than my need.”  Well said, and good advice for each of us to ponder.

Lately, an event transpired that really hit home with me as I continue my journey deeper and deeper into the 4th Quarter of my life. It made me realize that the older you are, the longer your past.  So many life experiences are behind me, never to return—career, specific vacation adventures, relationships with friends and relatives who are no longer with us.  It’s even the little things.  I had an opportunity to play drive-way basketball with three of my grandchildren:  Paul (13), Ava (12), and Kent (8).  I spent most of my time simply attempting NOT TO FALL!!  Here was Gordy Taylor who couldn’t move gracefully or hardly at all.  It just wasn’t a pretty sight. Then Gordon III put things in perspective. “Dad, you’re 79 and how many guys your age would even attempt what you’re doing?”  Suppose he’s right but how did my past get so long so fast?

Sometimes events that come our way arrive with a sense of ambivalence in that they strike both a positive chord but also provide a bit of a reality check. Recently, Diane and I ventured to Chagrin Falls, Ohio (outside Cleveland) to watch grandchildren Ava and Kent perform in the Stagecrafters musical Mary Poppins. Kent did a wonderful job as a “banker” and kept his banker peers on target.  Ava WAS Mary Poppins!! It was incredible. She sang solo; she literally flew through the air on stage.  The cast had 185 kids, and all eyes were on her. It was unbelievable. Both kids were poised and self-confident. It was a truly joyous family occasion. Two weeks later, I find myself singing “A Spoon Full of Sugar” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”  When Mary addressed the topic of positivity, she proclaimed to everyone listening, “There’s the whole world at your feet” and of course, she’s right.  It’s there if only we are smart enough to see it. 

It was such fun and memorable.  Ava and Kent are only two of our six grandchildren, each doing neat and creative things in their own lives. Yet, it does make me regret the reality that I will not be around to watch their entire lives unfold. That is how life works, right?  Diane and I will endeavor to savor as much of this grand family adventure as our lives and theirs permit. I plan on heeding the advice of Miss Mary Poppins “A spoon full of sugar makes the medicine go down.”