Two days before his 88th birthday in 2018 actor Clint Eastwood and country music star Toby Keith were playing golf. Toby asked, “What are you up to?” Clint told him that in two days he was making a movie called The Mule. “It is based on a true story of an old man who, desperate for money, makes ends meet by becoming a mule for a drug cartel.” Toby, impressed by Clint’s energy, asked, “What keeps you going?” Eastwood responded, “I get up every morning and go out. And I don’t let the old man in.” Two days later Toby Keith began to write the now famous song, Don’t Let the Old Man In. Here is one stanza:
And I knew all my life—
That someday it would end
Get up and go outside
Don’t let the old man in
Former U.S. President, George Bush Sr., celebrated his 90th birthday with a skydive.
In 2019 Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter headed to Tennessee with other volunteers to build 21 homes in Nashville. Jimmy Carter was 94 and Rosalyn Carter was 91.
The Comedian, George Burns, was doing shows until 1996, the year he died at age 100.
If we become sedentary when we can still move albeit with pain, do not think to contact friends, become bitter towards what we face each day, and cease to return love to those who love us, then old age moves in. Hope dies.
A WALK IN THE RAIN
Climb out of bed, aches and all
Cane in hand, I’m ready to go
Light rain and breeze
Could cause me to fall
Out the door and into the wind
Time to seek new energy again
This morning is different
I feel it inside
Weakness and pain
Are tied to my side
Don’t let the old man in
Is this old age?
I think to myself
It cannot be
Put it back on the shelf
The wind blows harder
Rain drops increase
I walk not alone
Thoughts do not cease
The pain in my back
Says all is not right
I trip on a curb
Am given a fright
Unwelcome you are
I say with a sneer
I shall walk through the pain
And go home for a beer
Don’t let the old man in
Ignoring my thoughts
Old age hangs around
Speaks to me deeply
Not making a sound
He speaks without fear
I deny that he’s real
Harsh, unforgiving
He has no appeal
This is my time
Not his to take
Unwilling to share
I ignore what’s at stake
In anger I button my coat
And pull my hat down
The rain will not cease
It pounds on the ground
Turning my direction,
I return to my home
And say to myself
Don’t let the old man in
I dry myself off
And look in the mirror
Amongst my wrinkles
His presence is clear
The life I have lived
With ones I hold dear
Is happy and full
Filled with love’s cheer
You have come to join me
Of that I am sure
But I hold what I can
Knowing no cure
Don’t let the old man in
The poem is written in the male gender but it applies to everyone.
Garrison Keillor wrote in his book Serenity at 70, Gaiety at 80: Why You Should Keep on Getting Older: “Life is good as your future diminishes; the scarcity makes your days more delicious.” Keillor understands loss is inevitable as we age, and life is “delicious” when we live it to the fullest of our ability. It is to live with the following…
Experience Gratitude: Feel the warmth of a grandchild’s hug, the sweetness of a loved one’s kiss. Embrace forgiveness and give the gift of gratitude. Cherish each day.
Indulge in Nostalgia: Let old photographs transport you to cherished memories. Reconnect with old friends and relish the taste of macaroni and cheese made just like your grandmother used to. Reflect on moments of joy from past Christmases and childhood friendships. But remember…
Live in the Present: The future is uncertain and time is fleeting. Treasure each moment as it unfolds. Aging reminds us of the preciousness of life.
Find Joy in Laughter: Take life lightly and find humor in yourself and others. A good laugh can brighten any day.
Stay Curious: Never stop learning. Surprising discoveries are not limited to the young.
Embrace Solitude: Seek solace on a park bench or your family porch. Reflect on what truly matters. Find wonder, purpose, and love within yourself.
Nurture Your Body: Taking care of our physical well-being becomes more challenging with age. However, we all know the importance of staying as healthy as possible. Remember, the mind needs exercise too. Acknowledge limitations, but embrace what you can do.
Find Peace in a Hobby: Engage in activities that bring you joy. Unleash your creativity in the garden, the workshop, or through a favorite book. Hobbies have the power to bring tranquility and contentment to your day.
Two old friends sit by the fireplace in the retirement home and reminisce. They laugh. Cry. Share secrets. Marvel at new scientific discoveries. Their movements are slow. Life is good. The moment is full. They smile, look each other in the eye, and in their own private ways think,
Keep singing in the rain
Dance to the music each day plays
DON’T LET THE OLD MAN IN….
Written by: Hartzell Cobbs
Hartzell Cobbs is the retired CEO of Mountain States Group (now Jannus, Inc.), a diverse nonprofit human service organization.
Now Available: THE MOON at the WINDOW
***All royalties from “The Moon at the Window” go to support the work of Smart Strategies for Successful Living.
About the Author: With a sprinkling of exuberance and vitality, Dr. Cobbs is an accomplished author of three books and numerous articles published in different venues throughout his life. Dr. Cobbs’ first book, Thanatos and the Sage: A spiritual approach to Aging (2008), offers a thought-provoking interpretation of the interplay between how to live life with meaningful intentions and the eventuality of coming to terms with death. His second book, Ravenwind (2019) delves into the raven’s role as it relates to Native American myths, legends, and folktales and global history. His reflections on the spirituality of living and dying depicted in his books are threaded throughout the short essays posted on the website for “Smart Strategies for Successful Living” and in his latest book, The Moon at the Window.
Smart Strategies for Successful Living provides an international format for writers to share research, thoughts, and experiences on aging well. One of our writers, Hartzell Cobbs, has compiled and edited articles from the past four years and put them in book form. “The book reveals the thoughts and emotions old age has dealt me” says Hartzell. “I have been surprised by how many aging people have similar experiences to my own.” The book has its genesis in Calcutta (now Kolkata), India, and concludes with reflections in the silence of the Arizona desert.
For additional information: CLICK HERE.
On behalf of Smart Strategies for Successful Living, a special thanks goes to Hartzell Cobbs for his brilliant works as a guest writer and for donating the book royalties from “The Moon at the Window” to us. We greatly treasure his talents and generous support of our website.