Appreciating Old Guys

I guess it's probably just a reflection of my own autumnal age, but I find myself rooting more for an 'old' Tom Brady than my own local Seattle Seahawks, just as I used to cheer for a vintage Peyton Manning. And I really delight in seeing Leo Messi play a match, Phil Mikkelson or Tiger Woods play a great round of golf, LeBron James dominate a basketball game, or Roger Federer or Serena Williams win a tennis tournament. Rampant reverse ageism.

I'd like to show solidarity with you John, but I'm only in my seventies. 

On a more serious note ... I was my mom's only child, and it took a while figuring out how to properly honor her at her funeral.  The thing that did it for me was Dylan Thomas's Do not go gentle into that good night.  Well John, do not go gentle into that good night, and thanks for the OP.

I'd like to show solidarity with you John, but I'm only in my seventies. 

On a more serious note ... I was my mom's only child, and it took a while figuring out how to properly honor her at her funeral.  The thing that did it for me was Dylan Thomas's Do not go gentle into that good night.  Well John, do not go gentle into that good night, and thanks for the OP.

Maybe not 'gentle,' but when my time comes I hope I go with some grace.

Yes, grace is always good (and akin to dignity too).

There’s something to be said about greatness as well. Many of those athletes have reached heights not seen before. Russell Wilson could certainly start being considered among them

On a side note, I hope Cristiano passes his covid test tomorrow so we can see another match between him and Messi on Wednesday.

On a side note, I hope Cristiano passes his covid test tomorrow so we can see another match between him and Messi on Wednesday.

John, I recognize some of those names. You mean they aged too?

I compete in a sport that allows us older gents to take part and even best younger folks. We just excel at different aspects of it since there are many aspects where one needs to excel to do REALLY good. We'll never be the best, but we sure can give 'em a run for their money at local competitions. We just need to know and stay within our limits, do what we can do really great and what we can't do accept it and just do what we can. The things we excel at compensate for what we can't do as good as we once could.

Naturally us older gents like to compete together and one in particular has been having problems but he was in his 80s and I really enjoyed seeing him compete. But time takes it's toll and he slid downhill really fast and at his last competition he didn't know where he was. That ended competition for him. I was sorry to know that I wouldn't see him competing anymore. Now my buddy and I are the 2 eldest gents (I think). I plan to keep competing for as long as I can and my older buddy is still pretty spry for his age. We compete against each other and of course against the younger folks.

Read your post with relish and I’m only middle aged (if I live to 120).  We might lose a step or three but we have experience hard-won over decades.  I’m no longer the “rescue swimmer” but I sure know how to set ropes to get a raft off the rocks or how to position for a steep drop and keep the boat black side down.  My day to hand the oars to younger men are coming but I have new knees now so perhaps I’ll still wear out some oars again yet.  Man I like taking folks down rivers and us old guys have the best campfire stories.

Read your post with relish and I’m only middle aged (if I live to 120).  We might lose a step or three but we have experience hard-won over decades.  I’m no longer the “rescue swimmer” but I sure know how to set ropes to get a raft off the rocks or how to position for a steep drop and keep the boat black side down.  My day to hand the oars to younger men are coming but I have new knees now so perhaps I’ll still wear out some oars again yet.  Man I like taking folks down rivers and us old guys have the best campfire stories.

I used to love rafting - with someone else at the helm. What rivers, and what seasons?

Read your post with relish and I’m only middle aged (if I live to 120).  We might lose a step or three but we have experience hard-won over decades.  I’m no longer the “rescue swimmer” but I sure know how to set ropes to get a raft off the rocks or how to position for a steep drop and keep the boat black side down.  My day to hand the oars to younger men are coming but I have new knees now so perhaps I’ll still wear out some oars again yet.  Man I like taking folks down rivers and us old guys have the best campfire stories.

I used to love rafting - with someone else at the helm.  What rivers, and what seasons?

Middle Fork and Main of the Salmon River in Idaho is where i take paying clients For Pro Rafting Tours.  Canyon stretch of the Snake and others for family and friends.  Idaho is a whitewater Mecca.  Season for the whitewater starts in May through September.