REACH OUT, I'LL BE THERE

The year was 1967 - I parked my car on Third Street in Harrisburg and started the long walk to my apartment. I had just spent $2 dollars on gas, and even though a gallon of gas was thirty-five cents back then, my 1963 Dodge always seemed to be on empty.

And during this time my life was on empty too. I had no idea why I was on this earth or what in the world I was going to do with my life. My rent was due and my car payment was late. As strange as it sounds, a Motown song played a role in turning my life around on that day.

In the late '60's I carried a transistor radio wherever I went and during my walk a popular song called "Reach Out, I'll Be There" started to play. The song seemed eerily spiritual, almost like it was a message, not from a guy to a girl, but from God directly to me. It remains one of the times in my life when I categorically claim a special moment with God. Here are some of the words I remember..... 

"Now, if you feel that you can't go on, and all your hope is gone. Your life is filled with much confusion, and happiness is just an illusion. And your world is tumblin' down. When you feel lost and about to give up, And your best just ain't good enough - I'll be there, to love and shelter you, I'll be there, Reach out to me."  

Well, on that day I reached out and made some important decisions about my relationship with God. And in a matter of months things started to make sense. I chose to be re-united with the church and met a special girl that I ended up marrying.

Now you could say that I'm making more of the song than I should, but almost 60 years have passed since that day, and I am more convinced than ever that it was a critical, pivotal point in my life. 

I call it my "MOTOWN MOMENT"

GETTING OLDER

I was viewing a TED Talk yesterday about the benefits of growing older.  The speaker had a great attitude and interesting perspective.   

OLD YET?

"You're only as old as you feel." Or better yet, "You're only as old as you think."  During retirement when you are thinkin' you are gettin' really old - it's good to know you've got company.  My daughter sent me these three gems...... 

There are whales alive today who were born before Moby Dick was written.  
Some of the bowhead whales living off the coast of Alaska are well over 200 years old. They were born well before Moby Dick was written in 1851. 

Oxford University is older than the Aztecs.

Teaching started in Oxford as early as 1096, and by 1249, the University was officially founded. The Aztec civilization as we know it began in 1325.

The last time the Chicago Cubs won a World Series, women were not allowed to vote.

The infamous cold streak by the Chicago Cubs baseball team extends back to 1908, when they won their second World Series. Women in the US acquired the vote in 1920.

FEELING YOUNGER YET?

3. Oxford University is older than the Aztecs.

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

Listened to this interesting podcast this morning.

PLEASANT PARK