It Ain’t Over (1-min. read)

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At 86, my dad is playing checkers again – after at least a 65+ year hiatus.

My sister and I have never, ever seen Dad play checkers. He was way too busy raising us – cooking, doing the yard work, fixing whatever was broken, serving at church, working as a school principal, making visitors feel oh-so-at-home when they stopped by our house.

But very recently, and quite on the fly, Dad played the game of checkers. He talked smack the whole time, as he played against a new care helper on a sunny afternoon. During their getting-to-know-you conversation, he said he remembered playing checkers as a kid. And the (clearly angelic) helper promptly ran to her car, brought in a checkerboard set and said, “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

Evidently, he’s got a lot. He accepted her challenge – and won 3 of 4 games. And she didn’t let him win.

Watching Dad enjoy something that lay dormant for so many years was inspiring – and a helpful reminder of something so easy to forget: As we mature, we may assume we’ve hit a ceiling on how much we can grow, learn or accomplish. We think, “What else is there for me to do? I’m done. I’m stuck.”

That’s baloney. Hogwash. Hokum.

Our growth ain’t over until it’s all over. Our potential to grow doesn’t end until we take our last breath. It’s up to us to stay open to being stretched in new ways. Sometimes, the stretching hurts. But, sometimes, it’ll bring a genuine smile to your face – like a familiar game of checkers on a sunny afternoon.

Your Turn:
Have you hit the Pause button on growing into all you can do and become?

11 thoughts on “It Ain’t Over (1-min. read)”

  1. Pingback: Both/And | stretch & grow

  2. Karen Brown

    Every day we face experiences or choices that stretch us in new ways. I agree with you that stretching does not always feel good but it needed for us to reach our fullest potential in all areas of our life. Being stretched helps us to see that in certain “positions” we are more flexible and have abilities that we did not know exists. Then there are stretching “positions” that show us we are tight in our thinking and have to keep stretching to increase our flexibility.

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    1. stretch&grow Post author

      Karen, thank you so much for reading and sharing your thoughts! I completely agree with you – and I love your take on stretching positions. Brilliant! 🙂

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    1. stretch&grow Post author

      So glad it’s helpful, Baron! One step at a time, my friend – prayers for discernment and clarity for you (I already know you’ll have both soon – smiles). Hugs and love!

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  4. jaquinn224

    Nail on the head, once again. Feeling done is a little unsettling. I am trying to find the serenity, courage and wisdom to seek out and embrace my next journey. This was a nice push.

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  6. karin

    Thank you again! I think through my children, I have discovered some small things again that were lost in a dark corner. When you let them out, it gives new dimensions!

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    1. stretch&grow Post author

      I must agree with you 100%! There must be something extra-special about the games children play … and how they sing to the kid inside each of us, no matter our age. 🙂

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