Continuing from last week: Some more thoughts on aging ... prompted by rides this week on an airplane and a fire truck ... or, more thoughts on how to grow older without growing old.
Last Thursday, I went for an airplane ride with pilot Tommy Anderson and retired teacher / principal Mrs. Lucille Hall. Mrs. Hall’s ride was a door prize gift certificate from Tommy’s Flying Service as part of our “Skool Daze” celebration honoring our area educators back in August.
As we prepared to board the plane, it occurred to me that perhaps I should have brought a step stool to help Mrs. Hall get into the cockpit. (It’s a pretty big step from the runway to the foothold.) However, in a matter of seconds, she bounded right up onto to the foothold and right into the plane with only a steadying arm from Tommy and me. On the other hand (and foot), it took me several minutes to get my bulk squeezed into the back seat. (And much longer to get out when we landed.) As we taxied for take-off, I asked Mrs. Hall about her first plane ride. “When I was 19, a plane landed on our farm at Roland. The pilot offered our family free rides in exchange for a ride to the post office to display his ‘Plane Rides for $5’ sign. That first plane ride was almost seventy years ago!” Mrs. Hall’s anticipation and excitement about Thursday’s plan ride equaled that of the plane ride long ago. Mrs. Hall has this “aging thing” figured out ... growing older doesn't have to mean growing old. If you would like to see some photos of our flight, click here.
And speaking of planes, Mr. Rex Capps Sr., who passed away last week, was a farmer and pilot. Mr. Capps had this “aging thing” figured out, too. He may have stepped back from farming and flying, but he never “slowed down” in his senior years. Despite arthritis, he was very active up until a few weeks ago when an unexpected illness brought about his unexpected death. He would arrive at church a good half hour early on Sunday mornings to distribute the Sunday School records, bulletins, and adjust the thermostats. I’ll miss him.
Last Wednesday I got to sit behind the wheel of an antique fire truck. Like a little boy, I really wanted to run the siren and flash the lights, but I exercised some restraint. I didn't get to go for the ride. (Pilot Tommy Anderson this time drove the antique fire engine ... boy, he sure gets around!) Several of the kids that attend our church and our minister of children did. I bet a least one of them made a siren sound. I hope that, like Mrs. Hall and Mr. Capps, these kids don’t grow old as they grow older. Maybe I’m starting to figure out this “aging thing” after all ... bodies may have to grow old, but spirits don’t. 
This is just one pastor’s perspective.
Rick Hyde
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