Don’t Let the Old Man In

I stole that title from a Toby Keith song. Let me start with the story of the song itself. Toby was playing golf with Clint Eastwood. Clint was 90. Toby asked Clint how he stayed so young and vital. Clint told him that every day he looks in the mirror he tells himself “Don’t let the old man in”. That’s how the song came to be.

Sage advice, for sure. As I approach 72, I’m taking that on as my new mantra.

That old man is knocking on the door every day. He’s there when I catch myself watching old reruns of Hazel. He’s there when my Spotify play list has no song newer than 1970. He’s there when a nap looks more inviting than a hike in nature. He’s there when I decide to drive the scenic route rather than the much quicker Rt 22. He’s there when I choose a vacation that’s in the opposite direction of people.

Hazel was a good show. Sixties music was the best. Naps are lovely. Scenic routes can show you nice scenery. And vacations in the middle of nowhere can be fulfilling. But there is a big wide wonderful world out there. The old man wants you to stay in the past. The old man wants you to stay just where you are. The old man wants you to crawl into a fetal position as you wait to die.

There are tons of art and culture yet to explore. There are risks to take to stimulate your senses. The great American novel is yet to be written. There are beautiful sunrises, and radiant rainbows. There are jokes yet unheard. There are loud booming thunderstorms. There are people you haven’t met yet, that could change your life.

There is too much at stake to let the old man in. With each passing year, his knocks get louder, but I remember that I have the key.