“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 (NKJV)
Sunday I turned 69. I have received wonderful wishes and love expressed and it has been wonderful. I am always surprised that people take the time to wish me well.
69 is an age I never thought I would reach. I have outlived both of my parents. I figured I would pass in my 40’s or 50’s, so to reach this landmark, I am surprised. I am also overwhelmed as I’m old!
This morning I went to our Bible Study. I left early for an appointment. I have been overdue for my mammogram and I needed a bone density test. I find it ironic that I would put off a mammogram considering my oldest is in the process of recovering from breast cancer. But, put it off I did.
As I left Bible Study the women all expressed prayers for a good appointment with good results. They are a lovely group of women. I thanked them and planned the route to the place where I made the appointment. I arrived at 11:02 for an 11:20 appointment. I had a difficult time parking in a spot, which is pretty normal for me.
I walked into the building and a young woman came to the counter and I said, “I’m here for my appointment.” She looked at me strangely. She asked my name. She looked at her computer and I could see that something was wrong. I said, almost in a plea, “Please don’t tell me that I am at the wrong place.” I made the appointment for there because I knew how to get there. (If you don’t know me, I can get lost very, very easily)
She pursed her lips and then smiled. She asked my birthdate, and then wished me a happy belated birthday. I thanked her. She was very nice.
She looked up at me, confirmed my information and said, “I won’t tell you that you are in the wrong place.” (Whew! That’s a relief). She continued, “You are in the right place, and you are here on time. But (dont’ you dislike when you hear that word?), you are in the wrong month.”
At this point, I stared at her. The two women behind me were laughing by this time having been privy to the conversation.
The punchline? My appointment is for March 13th.
The cute woman behind the counter continued, “I know you are just anxious and excited to have this appointment. You couldn’t wait to get here, right?”
The women behind me were doubling over, I swear! They were just having too good of a time.
I mumbled something about after having my last birthday I was anxious because I know the factory warranty on me is starting to come to an end.”
The women behind me were silently slapping their knees.
I used the restroom and as i walked out the door I made eye contact with the women. They burst out laughing. I told them to have a good appointment and left.
It took me longer to park than it did in the building. Oh! The joys of getting old!
The Refreshing of a Wild Rose 