31755—MY “LIVED NUMBER”

Just a calendar number anyway!

When you go to buy a super-suitable mattress these days, you are supposed to know your “sleep number.” I don't know that, but my “lived number” is 31755. That is 87 x 365 which is the generous number of days filled with “goodness and mercy” which according to Psalm 23, have followed me through the valleys and mountaintops all the days of my life.

My 103 year old beloved cousin Martha who lives in a retirement home sent me the sweat shirt which was given her when she attained the young age that I reach today. It pictures a laughing Minnie Mouse cartoon figure with the words, “I'm NOT 87! I'm 18 with 69 years experience!” 

I hope that I'm wiser now that I'm full of years and that I will be greathearted to share that wisdom...but only when I'm asked!

CELEBRATION

Do You mean it, God?

Do You expect me to celebrate aging?

Of course I did in my youth:

I hurrayed the milestones

the red-letter days—the birthdays

festive with red balloons

Koolaid and chocolate cake

candles and presents

feted with favorite peers

in my exciting childhood years.

But at some point I stopped counting

and cut the flashy fanfare.

The numbers got stuck at thirty-nine

at least Jack Benny's and mine

and the years slipped quietly by

neither lauded nor applauded

more solemnized than commemorated

but not unrecorded on my face

and in my creaking knees

and aching back—

oh yes, time did keep track!

You DO mean it, God?

It's actually in Your perfect plan

for man (and woman too)

to ripen and mature and celebrate

whatever time of life

You've granted so generously

to Your “forever child”

(that's me!)

Okay, so then I'll be

jubilant and carefree

blowing out my 87 candles with gusto

and opening excitedly

Your delightful presents

of all the new days still ahead

as I count on Your guiding hand

and ever-faithful presence!