Everything is fine. I could pay a lot of money to some workout instructor for the same exercise and not have all the fun.

You know you're old when you go into an antique store and find items your mother had in her kitchen.

Remember: You don't stop laughing because you grow old; you grow old because you stop laughing.

I know you have all read these lists that try to make us feel old when we are really just reaching real maturity, I think.

I got this letter from a friend, Bill Butts, a few weeks ago. Bill has a lot of things about this getting old figured out. It would do us all good to listen to him. Here is what he wrote:

"In three months I will be 82 years old (You know, of course, the four ages of man:

1. "Iım 8 and 1/2,"
2. "Iıll be 21 in June; man, Iıve got it made."
3. "Middle age and what do I have to show for it?"
4. "If I make it till June, Iıll be 74." (Pardon me, Bill, but I had to throw that in.)

"I got to thinking that in this city there are many of us in this stage of life. We know death is just around the corner. We know it is near because of our advanced age. So, what do you do about it? Sit and wait for it to come? Or go on with your every day activities and know that it will come when it gets good and ready.

"I play golf every Tuesday and Thursday with a bunch of old guys. In fact, Iım the kid in the outfit. Most are in their mid-80s. A couple of us are 91 and 92. We all still play a respectable game, and we enjoy the fellowship and testing our skill out on the course.

"At this advanced age you have to live life to the fullest. Have some hobby that keeps you involved. Keep your mind active, and keep up with whatıs going on in the world and our community. You have experienced many things in your life, and you need to pass that experience on to the younger folks. We have come from horse and buggy days to the space age, and most of us have been through two or three wars. What we have learned is valuable information and should somehow be recorded and shared with the younger generation. In my case, I am writing books. I took my four grandparents and my wifeıs four grandparents and worked forward and backwards to find out as much as I could on each family. Then I have put all of that information down on paper and put it in the books. It includes a narrative on the life of each individual, progressive pictures of them, documents such as birth and death certificates, awards, military history, etc. This will be a great legacy for my children and grandchildren.

"That is me. Iım sure each of us, at our advanced age, has some topic that we can contribute to the younger folks. If you do, start doing something about it. Get involved in your interest and let your experience be a valuable tool for those coming after you. Donıt sit and wait for death and dwell on your situation. Use your experience and interests to the fullest by sharing it. Write it down. I heard once that the only thing you can leave behind you is what you write or paint, and now we can add to that what we record on tape. So, get to work! Youıve got things to do! Donıt let all that experience and knowledge go to waste.

"Oh, death will come, and Iım sure most of us are ready for it in some sense of the word, but we canıt dwell on the thought of it. Just be ready, but in the meantime live your life each day and put as much as you can into that day. Be thankful that the Lord has let you live to this advanced age; maybe there is a reason for it. The reason is that you can contribute what you know and have experienced to the next generation. Get busy and do something about it."

Yes, Bill, there is a reason that God leaves us here. Too many give up and sit and wait. There is so much we can do regardless of age or physical condition. There is always someone older and someone more feeble. We can be faithful in the study of Godıs Word and in prayer. We can reach out to someone and touch them with our love. There is no such thing as too old. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.