By John Toth The Bulletin
Happy National Senior Citizens Day to me.
What?
Yes, I’m still in denial and try to shove this title aside until further notice. I don’t feel like a senior citizen. I don’t feel any different than in my younger years.
I grew “old” publishing The Bulletin. I went from youth sports in the early days, to cruising now because it is more comfortable than driving or flying.
I still like driving and flying, but you can’t beat driving for an hour and boarding a cruise ship that then takes you to vacation spots.
I have changed my way of thinking over the years, as you, dear reader have, also. Time has a way of teaching lessons that, if learned, make the rest of life easier, less complicated.
There are things I would do differently over the six decades that I have lived on this Earth, but not anything major. I would still become a writer, and I would still try to run my own business. I would raise my kids the same way, except I would give them less and make them earn more.
Sorry, kids. You were a little spoiled. I tried to relive my childhood through them the way I wanted mine to be. Mine was complicated with escaping from communism, learning different languages and moving to another country right after I got settled down. It was an adventure, though.
I am “old” now in my kids’ eyes, because they are still young. I feel like I am still “young,” but when I look in the mirror I also see that I have turned “old(er).” It’s not a bad feeling, but it is reality.
I have been inspired by acquaintances I have run into recently who are a lot older than me and still are going strong. The latest one is Harmon Hoot, former Republican Brazoria County Party chairman. He also was the Democratic Party Chairman earlier, and if my memory serves me well, is the only one to have been elected to both positions, at different times as the political climate changed here.
I ran into Harmon at a recent Chevron Phillips ribbon-cutting luncheon. He looked much like the last time I saw him many years ago.
“You look great, Harmon. How old are you, may I ask?”
“I’m 95,” he replied.
“I’m just a youngster to you then. What’s your secret?”
“I stay active. I don’t feel old,” he said and then rushed away, but not before I took a selfie with him.
“I hope to do what you’re doing when I’m your age,” I yelled after him.
That’s the truth. I hope I get to be just like Harmon, and I hope that I’ll still be writing my column at his age. I enjoyed briefly reminiscing about the old days. He wore a WWII Veteran cap, and their ranks are thinning.
Thank you, Harmon, for your service to our country, especially during WWII, for what you have achieved in Brazoria County and for the inspiration you have given me.
And, thank you, dear readers and advertisers for your support over the three decades that Sharon and I have published The Bulletin.
We hope to do it for many more years.