Getting along in years has its problems. As you grow old, people begin to mumble in an undertone which is barely audible, the telephone directories use smaller print, you can tell when the weather is going to change without listening to the radio, and your memory becomes moth eaten. As they say, the only redeeming feature about growing old is that not to grow old is a worse option.

But as with wine which improves with time, aging does have its advantages.

I remember when the baseball player, Andy Pafko, was in his last year in the game. At age 45 one is considered a senior citizen in sports. Andy was playing right field for the Braves, when the batter hit a ball that was certainly destined to be a homerun. With his back against the wall, Andy jumped and caught the ball, saving the game for his team.

The sports announcer went bananas with this fabulous catch, and in his ecstasy he said, “Just imagine! At age 45 he could still make a jump which we could expect only of much younger athletes.”

His fellow announcer commented, “No, you’re wrong. Perhaps a younger man has quicker reflexes and stronger muscles, but only someone with many years of experience would know just when and exactly how to jump to catch that ball. A youthful and much more agile player might be able to jump higher and faster, but only someone like Andy could know exactly how to place himself and jump to make a catch like that.”

He was right. Youth certainly has nimble skills, but these may not be enough to do the job. The wisdom of years of experience may more than compensate for the youthful strength, spirit and speed.

This may only be the defensive thinking of someone pushing 70, but somehow I don’t think so.