three cheers for the old guy

I've always had a tender spot in my heart for old people. When I was a kid, my family and I ventured out to one of our favorite dinner spots, The Hickory Pit in good ole' Oakland, CA. Ok, maybe it was just one of my favorite places. They had good chocolate silk pie, what can I say? Back to the pit. This restaurant was located near a retirement home and  many old people got lunch there. Often I observed all of these old people eating their ribs, baked potatoes, and coleslaw. Sometimes they were alone and sometimes they were with other old folk. Nonetheless, as I watched them, I often teared up. I wondered if they were lonely, if they had family close by, and if they were happy.

All of it is really sappy, I do realize this, but then again it's me, so what do you expect? Stay with me.

That tender spot still exists. After work, I go on my 3-4 mile runs and sometimes I see this old man on my street walk along with his cane. He's bundled up in his winter gear proudly displaying his redskins beanie. I often think how this man has so much determination to walk even when he's so old and even though he barely moves an inch. With his trusty cane, he is outside making his way up and down the hill of our house without fail.

Today was no different. I saw the old guy, my eyes swelled with tears, and I had an epiphany.

It doesn't matter how fast or slow we go, it's just that we keep on trying.

It's nothing new or monumental but it struck me how much the Lord loves this old man and that he's proud of him for taking another small step in the frigid cold. It made me remember how much the Lord loves me and that he's proud of me for still trying. Sometimes I want to give up. Sometimes I wonder why my life track may be slower than others, but I still try. And he's cheering for me because I do. Just like he cheers for the old guy. Hip, hip, hooray!

The end.