Lovers Make Growing Older Better

I have been thinking a lot lately about the heroic and humble efforts it takes to fulfill all the roles age requires of you.  I can remember fondly the role of self alone; playing, eating, sleeping.  Now I am a Christian, husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, artist, employee, chairman, and taxpayer, and more recently, an active son with his own set of good and grave responsibilities.  Each of these roles I play alone and each requires learned skills in order to be good at them.  Many of these require leadership.  I never knew the great difficulty of the aged, especially those of us who stay the course, keep involved, and remain open-armed to all.  I remember my mom crying every time a certain family member’s name came up, physically shuddering in overwhelming grief.  I didn’t understand it and thought her to be overly emotional.  How small my heart was while all my family's burdens lived under my roof.  Now only my lover lives under my roof and lives that mean more to me than mine can easily make us both shudder in tears as we move once again to our knees.  This is not a sad or difficult tale, it is one filled with ecstasy, hopefulness, and unrivaled joy.  Yes, the difficulties are now more acute but are part of growing old as your tent expands.  It is a fairy tale because at the beginning of this tale I said “I play alone” and at the end of the tale, God reminded me that my lover was given to me for all roles I have to live and there isn’t anything that Betty doesn’t make better.