My View From The Middle

"I'm only ninety nine," says Retha as she pushes her walker through the halls of the Idaho capitol building.  She moves with as much spring as her near 100 limbs can muster.  Moving a little slower than the rest of the assisted living group,which consists of younger people in their 80's she never misses a beat.  "I'm only ninety nine," she tells me again.  Two members of the tour sport walkers, one a cane and two on their.  Jack, using a cane and sporting a white Santa beard and a Vietnam veteran ball cap is rather quiet, but he and Nolan converse back and forth about various things as we all move through the capitol building. 

Because stairs are not an option the elevators are the mode of moving from one floor to another.  I get two with walkers, Jack and his cane and a chaperon in the elevator and there is no room for me.  Off I go running up the stairs to meet them. Nolan loads a second elevator and he can just squeeze in. This process continues until we reach the 4th floor.  We even manage to get them into the balcony of the Senate Chambers for the opening devotional.  "I'm only ninety nine," Retha says as we sit together on the steps of the balcony.  Jack sits on the other side of her with his ball hat in  hand and stands to say the pledge of allegiance.

Never once a moan or complaint was heard from the group.  Coo dos to their energy and interest level.  Age may make them physically slower, but the desire to learn and look for stimulation is still alive and well.  Younger individuals could take notes from this group about staying in the game of life.