My aunt is a 90-year-old bride. I saw her photo on Facebook, and her sweet smile gave me courage to believe it’s never too late to start something new.
A few years ago, as I entered the Older Woman phase of my life, I decided I wanted to be a writer. In my research I found I should expect to invest nine to twelve years perfecting my craft before I’d attract the interest of a publisher. I was approaching the middle of my fifties, and time had to be running out for me.
Was I too late?
What if I announced I was a writer but ended up with nothing to show for it? Would folks think I was delusional, lazy, or only using my writing to hide from reality? And what if I died before I reached my goal?
Ninety is not too old
My aunt isn’t afraid to start something new, though she has already outlived most her peers. Harlan Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, started his restaurant chain at the age of 65. The prolific and successful painter Grandma Moses began painting at 78.
I’m barely past 60, and though a high school classmate of mine died recently, that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t have proposed to to his sweetheart a few months ago.
There’s no shame in starting something new, ever.
Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel” (Zechariah 4:8-10 ESV).
Zerubbabel’s building project may have looked impossible or insignificant, but the Israelites were told the work would be completed and its small beginning would lead to rejoicing in the end.
I wonder, if I’m still here, what I’ll be brave enough to do when I’m 90.
by Kathy Sheldon Davis
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Note: I took a break from blogging to work on some health issues, celebrate the holidays with my family, and recover from a minor accident. My husband and I are OK, just a little sore. You should see my posts twice a month, as usual, from here on out.
Happy 2017!
kathysheldondavis.com 