The Art of Growing Old


How does one grow old? I think it must happen automatically for those who live long enough to achieve it. I have two children who died early, one at eleven and one at twenty-nine. I myself started with a very young father and mother who lived long lives. The first I can remember that there must
Carl J Stubbs (Jimmy 9 months)
be some kind of art to growing old was when I was told to grow up and behave. So, growing old may have something to do with behaving, but if that is true, why am I still alive?
There is a song that talks about a little girl and when her father turns around, she keeps getting older and doing different things until she had a little baby of her own. I remember when Joy had our first baby It was a beautiful little boy. I was only twenty-five and Joy was twenty-one. We subsequently had eight more beautiful children, and all the time I must have been getting older.
I didn’t have to practice at getting older. It just happened, and I didn’t even need to behave, though I have tried to do what is right, at least in my mind, most of my life.
I think now that I would like to do many more things, but I am unable to do many of them. I did have a great time doing things throughout my life. Most of my children have had the opportunity to do some of the things that I enjoyed and do them with me. I’m not sure that river running was as enjoyable for my family as it was for me.
Carl J. Stubbs 77 yrs old
One thing that I have enjoyed over the years is family reunions. Joy’s family has more than my side of the family, but I am accepted at all of them.
So, all I can say about getting older is to enjoy the trip and thank God for the many opportunities that you have been given. I have truly been blessed to travel on through time and love my family who will be there trying to achieve old age long after I have completed the art of growing old that I have been working on for these many years.

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