We asked him, and three others, to tell us what it means to grow older. Here’s what he had to say. 

I just turned 75. So I guess I am a senior. My maturity level is not quite up there.

I do view most people as older than me. Many of us, men and women, really picture ourselves in our 20s. And that’s where we stop as long as we retain that ability to be relevant.

I look at myself as relevant. I’m keeping busy.

I also have many of the problems that seniors my age have. I’m a cancer survivor. I plan my life around doctor’s visits, which I didn’t think I would.

I don’t ignore my age. I just don’t let it define me. I don’t see myself as old until I get offered a senior discount.

Not everyone has had the greatest life. I get that. All of a sudden, they wake up and they’re old. Maybe they don’t have a song in their life. Maybe they didn’t dance enough when they were able to dance.

Our tents break down. That’s a fact of life. At a memorial service, you realize that it’s about what a person does with that dash between those years, between the date of birth and death.

I visit four nursing homes. There are some people I see that have given up, and you can see that they’ve given up. They’re cranky, they have their head down. They’ve lost their reason for living.

I don’t think I’ve lost my reason. I try to find the fun in everything I do.

Some volunteers would pinch a senior’s cheek and say, “Oh, aren’t you so cute?”

I’m not going to pinch their cheek. I’d rather hug them and say “thank you” because they’re relevant.

Recently, I had to have an emergency surgery. I was on my back for two and a half months. While I was in the hospital, I led a couple of Bible studies. I couldn’t wait to get back.

But my focus wasn’t on myself. Before, in my younger years, it was all about me.

I grew up. It’s not about me.

I’d like to continue on the same path I’m on.  I have a great, loving wife who is my partner in everything that we do. I’m excited that I wake up every day.

My hope is that I’m able to share something with younger people to help them find their way to their ministry.

Not everyone has had the greatest life. I get that. All of a sudden, they wake up and they’re old.

Maybe they don’t have a song in their life. Maybe they didn’t dance enough when they were able to dance.

I’ve tried to dance every moment of my life. And I sing when I feel a song in my heart.

To volunteer with Les, check out Heart2Heart’s outreach opportunities.