“Retirement: That’s when you return from work one day and say, “Hi, Honey, I’m home — forever.” ~ Gene Perret

It's just me. Not to worry. I don't know if I am harmless, but, pretty close. It's my next to last Monday as I sit here at my well-used workstation on this back to work October 22, 2018. Me counting down the days reminds me of when I worked at the U.S. Army Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana. It was 1968 and I worked in the public affairs office where we had a steady turn over of drafted individuals who had journalism or broadcasting in their background. At times we would get an individual for their last duty station before their enlistment was up. Talk about a countdown! Many of these were on their way back to a newspaper, a TV station, or radio announcing job. I assisted the Sergeant Major who was responsible for administration. These guys on their way out would come over to my desk every day and ask me to ask them how short they were. When I asked, they would give me a version of something like this: "I'm so short I can barely see over my shoetops." We did have a cadre of officers and non-coms who would typically order them to get back to work. They were so excited. I'm not sure if I am excited about my own countdown, or, perhaps just caught up in the moment. Regardless, the clock is ticking, and it will not be very long before the saying I heard as a kid will come to fruition, "All good things must come to an end, and this is the end, my friend."

Home dialysis system.

I saw a note on social media from a fellow I worked with for many years at the big company. Wes used to drive a commuter van from the suburbs and we also rode together for several years. This week begins a new venture for him and his wife. He must start dialysis to deal with his failing kidneys. He and his wife are going to do this themselves, at home, as a team. While having technology like this is really an amazing modern medical marvel, it is still gut-wrenching to see him have to resort to this treatment option. Back in the early 1980's, he was driving the commuter van the day we were in a head-on collision. It was a drizzly, wet day and the young man who veered his car into our lane was killed instantly. As the driver, my associate folded up the steering wheel and suffered a broken sternum. I was thrown into the windshield and received a lot of cuts on my face along with dozens of shards lodged in my forehead. Others on the van were also injured, fortunately, none seriously. I remember like it was yesterday, Wes and I were standing on the side of the freeway. Shivering. The police and ambulances were arriving. He looked at me. I looked at him. We didn't say a word, but, we reached for each other and gave a hug. We knew that God had brought us through. Wes is a wonderful God-fearing man and my heart and prayers go out to him today.

That posting caught my attention because of our long-term association. And, as a diabetic, kidney related issues are a common malady. He's probably 5 years older than me. We both have enjoyed many blessings in the sojourn God has granted to us. It's another reminder of the frailty we all inherit at birth. We live in a fallen world and our bodies are essentially in decline. Sorry. That's how it works. Solomon had some thoughts on this very subject along with some inspired recommendations. This is taken from Ecclesiastes, Chapter 12, Verses 1-13, as rendered in the New Living Translation, "Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, 'Life is not pleasant anymore.' Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky. Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop. Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly. Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint. Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caperberry no longer inspires sexual desire. Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral. Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. 'Everything is meaningless,' says the Teacher, 'completely meaningless.' Keep this in mind: The Teacher was considered wise, and he taught the people everything he knew. He listened carefully to many proverbs, studying and classifying them. The Teacher sought to find just the right words to express truths clearly. The words of the wise are like cattle prods—painful but helpful. Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded stick with which a shepherd drives the sheep. But, my child, let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out. That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad." Those words are good for us all to consider, regardless of our age. Amen. ....More later.