SATCHEL
As a youth, I was impressed with the achievements of LeRoy "Satchel" Paige, the 'old man' who had become the 'oldest Rookie' in Major League baseball (having played with such distinction in the segregated Negro Leagues for many years). The man would never tell his exact age, thereby making the curiosity even greater about how someone 'his age' could prevail in a game for 'young men'. Satchel supposedly mused, "How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?"
So much for the old saw, "Act your age !" that has been used to ascribe age-appropriate behaviors, especially, perhaps, for youth and elders. I learned some valuable lessons about this topic when I was 50. A friend invited me to join him in a 15 mile run/race through the streets of Charleston,WV. My goals were to complete the course and do it under three hours. Gratefully, I was able to do that. The following day, the Results published in the local newspaper, informed me that I finished 30 minutes behind Dr. John Pianfetti who was 81. The following year, I was only 15 minutes behind him at the finish line. Though I never met Dr. Pianfetti, he was one of my heroes. That experience has become a kind of metaphor for me as I accumulate the candles on the birthday cakes.
"How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are? "
Satchel
I really like this insight. A few years ago I felt strange working with a co-worker name Annabel who is 20 years younger than myself. She really liked to work with me and continuously asked me to also join her for social activities. Each time she mentioned finishing school, it reminded me of our age difference but for the past 20 years I have been conscious that there are times I feel like a 9 year old, times I feel like it's only been a few weeks after my college graduation (20 years ago), and a few times when I have been shocked by the news of my own physician saying that I am actually physically a year or two younger than my calendar age based on his point system.
ReplyDeleteI finally got the courage to ask a very wise and admirable woman, yes, my mother, what age she felt on the inside, in her mind. She smiled and said: The appearance of my body may not elude to my real REAL age to everyone else, but it may surprise you to know that inside I am a "Quinceñera". I smiled, gave her a hug and said: Yes you are! And I am nine right now and gave my mom a big hug.
I finally realized that it is ok to not age on the inside, and we have the right to be eternally young! The reason I felt strange with Annabel, was not the age difference, but it was the fact that she accepted me for my REAL age, I was her contemporary, her peer, her age, and we developed an amazing youthful friendship that strangely enough, age doesn't really exist.
Thanks for your encouragement and for reminding me of Satchel Paige. I can understand why he is your hero. I have to admit that physically I feel my age in my knees and hips, but I'm still quite active and reasonably fit, just not in the same ways I was 30 years ago.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your encouragement and for reminding me of Satchel Paige. I can understand why he is your hero. I have to admit that physically I feel my age in my knees and hips, but I'm still quite active and reasonably fit, just not in the same ways I was 30 years ago.
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