If I live that long...

My Dad is an interesting guy. He'll be ninety-one this summer "If he lives that long", as he always says.

He's been saying that for over 25 years.

I griped at him one day that he's been trying to die since 2000. Yep. Since his 75th birthday.

He has plans to go to the last reunion of his high school in Farley, NM, this June. In three months.

"If I live that long."


He and I are going to our biannual school reunion in Rolla, KS, in July.

 In four months.

"If I live that long."

Dad was a cowboy and a farmer, a Marine in WWII, built a lot of houses, corrals, worked on dangerous farm machinery, drove around in big cities and cross country where the speed limit was 85,

He fell into, onto, under, beside, in front of, behind and through every machine, steer, fence gap, horse, hole and structure imaginable.

He has had carpal tunnel surgery, knees replacement surgery, by-pass surgery (5), melanoma (twice), high blood pressure, cataracts, gall-stones and malaria.

His hips need replaced so he rides around in a motorized wheelchair.

He takes a lot of pills every day.

His memory is a little shaky since he totaled his Mercury last year, but works on his book every day.

If I live that long?

He's on the phone with his cousin Irene. She took care of him and his older sister when Grandma went to get the twins. Irene was a senior in high school and ran the house while Gran was away. Dad was six.

Irene is still at home, too.

                                           
                                                          Not Irene, but I love the picture!

If I live that long?  You couldn't kill these people with a super-villian!

I think about what he says. A lot.

Even though he say "If..." and even though he misses Mom terribly, he is a full of life guy. Makes plans for the future.
Writes and rewrites the new section of his book.

Has about 50 photos laid out to put in the manuscript.

I spend a lot of time helping salvage pictures that are over 70 years old. And research.

No matter what he says; He's going to LIVE until he dies.

And that's what I plan to do, too.

                                             Even if I never start a business.

                                                         

Even if I never get thinner.









                                            Even if I never write that book.

Those are just things I'd like to do. Not necessarily what I need to do.


How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;And in whatever he does, he prospers.   Psalms 1:1

One of the promises is that everything will be okay. That all I do will prosper.

It doesn't mean I'm gonna get rich. It means if I'm walking the walk, He's going to bless what my hands touch.

His Glory.

His Kingdom.

His Way.

Tremble, and do not sin;
Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. 
5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
And trust in the Lord.         Psalms 4:4-5

                                                   Live, until you die.


Shalom!