How It Feels to be 56

LIFE

Me? 56?

Well, in a way, it's beginning to feel like it. But sometimes I can't believe how time flies by. It's like only yesterday I was 16 or 20. Now I'm 56.

It's my birthday (again) and I thank God for life, health, family and ministry. I thank Him for making everything simple and practical.

This morning I was brisk walking around the neighborhood and surveyed the place where I grew up in. A lot of my contemporaries aren't here anymore---transferred to some other places---and others have left this world.

As I was walking down Assets Street, I thought I heard my friends' voices when they were yet kids. I saw in my mind how they swiftly and expertly maneuvered down the street on their bikes.

I also saw them play basketball with bare feet.

Then I smiled---do you really get this sentimental when you're past 50? Or am I just the one like this?

I thank God that I'm in good health---though lately I don't know how this renal problem got into me. I have to get rid of it soon. Sometimes it happens---no matter how you take care of your health, something goes wrong in you.

And then those who abuse their health don't have anything wrong in them.

I'll be undergoing some tests.

But otherwise, my blood chemistry reflected normal results. I can't wait to see my medical specialist next Tuesday.

Oh yeah, another thing with being 56 and a health buff is that you can't wait to get rid of an ailment that mysteriously hit you. I don't drink or smoke and I eat whatever healthy food I can afford, and then this.

Yup, another thing about being 56 is, health mysteries begin to surface. I'm usually so impatient when it comes to this, especially when I know I'm not supposed to be having it.

Then one morning, while brisk walking and jogging, my eyes just stared at the wonderful sky with a few dashes of light blue clouds on it, and then I seemed to hear a voice in my mind---"God made that. You see that power? How can anything be out of His control?"

Yup. Last but not least, you begin to be more aware of and sensitive to God and life when you're 56.

So, why do most middle aged men see and hear things younger folks don't? Well, simply because most of us have seen and heard more in life than do younger people. Like how aged wine has stayed longer in oak barrels than new wine has.

Second, we've learned a lot from our foolishness.