Hello to all our
McCarty Metro subscribers and visitors... I hope you all have had a nice summer thus far.
As the days start to shorten, and we start getting the first
'crisp' in the air, we realize that, at least in Michigan, that
change is just around the corner, and autumn will soon be upon
us. Enjoy the next few weeks of summer's final hurrah, for
Autumn is not far behind.
In July,
Margaret and I drove out to the Boston area to attend the
wedding of our nephew Adam and his bride Amanda. Besides the
wedding, we did lots of stuff, including whale watching.
Although the temps were around 100 everyday, we had a great
time. We stayed in Gloucester, which has many shops, and
great seafood restaurants.
In August, we had our Michigan reception for Brad
& Valerie who got married in June on Mackinac Island. It
was great seeing family and friends come out for a BBQ, and
wish all the best to the newlyweds.
We also had
our second 72 hour film project this past month. Although
submissions were scarce, the quality was great. Thanks to
Jerry, Steve, Larry, and their families for their efforts. The
results of our contest are on the Metro Dateline News page.
I look forward to our third contest next year.
I hope you
all have a chance over the next few months to join us in our
third season of the McCarty Metro NFL Pigskin Pickem
contest. Last year was a doozy that went right down to the
Super Bowl.
As September rolls
in, it is time for the youngsters to go back to school. In many
cases, it gives parents the break they need, as their students get
back to their job of learning about life and the world we live. As I was preparing
the Metro, I want to
include a story about going back to school. I think I came across
a good one. The story of Rose reminds us to keep challenging
ourselves, and to keep ready for the daily challenges that life
gives us. We should always stay motivated in our learning while
not forgetting to congratulate others on the same type of journey.
Enjoy, and I'll see you back here in October.
THE STORY
OF ROSE
The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn’t already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned round to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being. She said, “Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I’m eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?”
I laughed and enthusiastically responded, “Of course you may!” and she gave me a giant squeeze.
“Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?” I asked. She jokingly replied, “I’m here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids…” “No seriously,” I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age.
“I always dreamed of having a college education and now I’m getting one!” she told me.
After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake. We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months, we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this “time machine”
as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.
Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.
At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I’ll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor. Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, “I’m sorry I’m so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I’ll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know.”
As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, “We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You’ve got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people walking around who are dead and don’t even know
it! There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up. If you are nineteen years old and lay in bed for one full year and don’t do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight.
Anybody can grow older. That doesn’t take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets. The elderly usually don’t have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets.”
She concluded her speech by courageously singing “The Rose.”
She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives.
At the year’s end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago. One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep. Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it’s never too late to be all you can possibly be .When you finish reading this, please send this peaceful word of advice to your friends and family, they’ll really enjoy it!
Here's to the memory
of Rose and all our readers who remember that growing older is
mandatory, but growing up is optional. CHEERS!
