“How much time do you have left?” I asked my dad on his birthday. “I’ve got plenty

of time” my dad responded. At the age of 5, I had worries of mortality.

Later in life, I realized that the end doesn’t matter much. What is most important is

how you choose to live your life each day.

Last Friday, that point was hammered home when I spoke to the Niles Chapter of

the AARP. Age wise, this group made me feel young although talking to the group

and watching them interact I realized again, that with the exception of most health

issues, much of how you live your live is fully in your control well into your life.

These folks were active and on top of current events and pop culture. To the left

of me there was a woman discussing music of Justin Bieber. Wow, I only know the

name.

I was asked a question I get a lot: “Why isn’t there anything in the paper

About ……. (you fill in the blank).” In this case, it was about the regular meetings

of the Niles High class of ’46. And my answer was “we didn’t know about it.” Like I

said to them, I say to you, get us the information and we will do our best to get it in

the newspaper.

Through the years on his birthday, my dad would tease me and say, “Aren’t you going to ask me how much time I have left?”

I’d always comply and he would give me the same line: “I have plenty of time.” My dad was also a newspaperman and had a great sense of humor although sometimes very dry. Dad lived with me as his health was failing in 2004. When March 20 rolled around, he wanted to know once again if I was going to ask him “how much time do you have left” and, when I did, he quickly responded with a smile, “not much.”

As I write this on dad’s birthday I think of him as he would have been 90 and very proud of his son as he is of all of his children. He was a special guy, and I miss him. Happy birthday, Dad.