Visiting grandchildren always reminds me how old I am. I’m not responsible to discipline and there are times when it’s even inappropriate to spoil them when I thought that’s what grandparents do. We start our sentences with “When I was in elementary school…” and the children roll their eyes.
Recently, I started having a reawakening of how old I am becoming. Last year for my annual physical, my physician for the past 19 years retired. I felt abandoned and uncomfortably embarrassed over someone else looking at my medical history. Sensing a trace of modesty, my doctor informed that a female doctor would be inheriting his patients. I quickly asked if there were any other male doctors on staff. There are none.
Last week I had my every 5-week haircut by Tom. He told me that he was relocating to a veteran’s community facility since he had no family to care for him and that this was my last haircut by him. He suggested another traditional barbershop in the next town over. We bemoaned about these hair-cutting chain shops charging low fees but one never knows who might be cutting at the time you want an appointment. Having a long-termed relationship with your primary physician is important but having a barber who cuts your hair that has two hair cowlicks and calmly discussing politics (never forgetting who has the scissors) is important too. I asked him for the best haircut he can do.
Ever since Star Trek Mr. Spock said, “Live long and prosper,” I have to my great surprise been blessed beyond my expectations and anyone else’s who knows about my family history would know. I have lived long enough to receive a Baptist minister’s pension, my social security benefits, be on Medicare, retired from full-time paid ministry, and almost wearing out my tennis partner.
In Hebrews, we read how Abraham’s faithfulness led him to go forward with God in his life and as the result he and Sarah were blessed with many descendants. The descendants were “as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.” (Hebrews 11:12b)
To live long and prosper, before the end of the year, I will need to look for a new primary physician. In another 4-weeks, I’ll need a new barber. And with a son and daughter-in-law and a daughter and a son-in-law, we are blessed with 6 beautiful and smart grandchildren. And if the math works out, we can expect as many as 18 great grandchildren! That is as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore!