You are never too old...

You are never too old.  Simple statement, yes but how powerful a mantra.  I got started on this line of thought after my grandfather’s 95^th birthday party. 

It was a good party and I believe he enjoyed himself.  At 95 he suffers from dementia, not a complete surprise at his age but we are fortunate that he is still aware.  For those who he sees on a regular basis he knows and he looks forward to visits. He has been through much in his life and as of late faced some challenges, three years ago he was hit by a truck and broke his hip.  After the rehabilitation facility told us he would not get better and we should place him in long term care we took him home, today he can walk again with a walker, I guess you are never too old to recover even when those around you don’t think you can. Two months ago he had to go into surgery for a hernia.  Came through well and is now home again. Once again you are never too old as long as you have the desire for life.

So we celebrated his 95^th birthday albeit a couple of weeks late due to the hernia, but we celebrated and as I learned from my grandfather again you are never too old to have your beard filled with blue cake icing and smile.  The party once again brought family and friends together which is what my grandparents always did and my grandfather did the same just by simply never being too old. 

While we were there we engaged in an epic multi-generational snowball battle.  My uncle, cousin, cousins wife, my son and daughter, and myself played for quite a while and cold hands and tired arms later we knew we had fun proving you are never too old to play in the snow.  I am sure my grandfather would have played but he was busy with too other activities you are never too old for, getting a second slice of cake and preparing for a nap. 

So it was a good day. 

I watched my kids help my grandfather, my daughter was busy cleaning the blue icing from his beard and my son brought him his stuffed bear. Which brings us to the final lesson. You are never too old or too young to enjoy your family, tell them you love them, or just give them a hug.