IT'S GREAT TO BE 70!

      Well, I am 70 now... and it seems somehow impossible. It seems as if... it was just yesterday when I started my first job with Hinky Dinky (yes, Hinky Dinky)... but in fact, it was 54 years ago. It seems like yesterday when I interviewed for my first corporate job... and I can still recall the awkward moment that occurred when I told the interviewer that it was my goal to make the world a better place. He had asked me why I wanted to join the personnel staff at Hinky Dinky,,, and I think he expected an answer that was more concrete and more worldly.
      Sherry and I tried to build a life in Omaha, but alcohol (which raises its ugly head from time to time in our family) drug me down. So... I entered a treatment center in the fall of 1976 and began a spiritual journey... which was anchored in Jesus Christ, whom I accepted as my Lord and Savior. There have been many ups and downs along the way, and there have been many times when I have disappointed the One who gave me new life... but I was definitely reborn in the fall of '76! Dad died in 1977, before I had the chance to show him the "new me," but to one extent or another, I was able to deepen my relationships with my faithful wife, my two beautiful daughters, and my two wonderful brothers- whom I enjoyed immensely. It seems like yesterday when Randy and I had a marathon tennis match on a July 4th weekend at his home in Indiana... and I can clearly remember the day when I gave Larry "Big Blue," which was one of the first oversized drivers on the market.
      After I became a Christian, I heard a call to the ministry, and in the fall of 1989, I entered seminary. It seems like yesterday when Charles Cunningham showed Sherry and me around Hyde Park... but in truth, it has been 27 years! Leaving the business world for the church... was a terrible financial decision... but it was an awesome blessing for me and my family! It was a new beginning and it gave me a full and purposeful life. As a pastor, I was blessed to preach and teach God's word, and I was honored to stand with others in their most intimate and critical times. Even now, I sometimes shake my head when I consider the unmerited blessings I have known! Ir's been great and this last weekend, I celebrated my 70th Birthday with my daughter and her family in Croton-on-Hudson. We hiked, we attended Archer's Little League games, we played miniature golf, and we took our swings at the batting cage- me, my son-in-law, and my 7 year-old grandson.  My friend, Nick, called from Michigan and sang Happy Birthday to me... and family members who could not be with us in person, including my wife (who is struggling with cancer) called in- Kelli, Brooke, Justin, Brittany, Donald, and Steve! I love them all, and I love all of those who sent Birthday wishes! Thanks so very much!
      On Sunday, we went to Yankee Stadium! It was my first time, and as we were sitting in our seats- maybe it was the 4th inning- the huge screen in centerfield flashed, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, POPPY. WE LOVE YOU." in giant print... and the announcer proclaimed it- as if it was a big deal. I was delighted and surprised, and I think Kendra, Shawn, and Archer were delighted that they had surprised me! Bur an inning later, they flashed Birthday wishes again- this time without the announcer's voice- and the message said, "Happy Birthday, Kenn Shedenhelm!" Evidently, my granddaughter had lobbied for "Poppy," and my grandson had lobbied for "Kenn Shedenhelm" because "not everyone knows who Poppy is." They were all in on the blessing, and I am extremely grateful. A bit of me wishes that I wasn't 70 quite yet, much of me wishes that my dad and brothers had lived to see 70, and most of me is delighted to be 70. I haven't done all that I dreamed of doing in life, and I certainly didn't become the man I wanted to be... but I've been given people to love and their our many people who love me. I've been blessed with people (like my wife) who helped me when I fell, and I've been blessed with people who cheered when I got back on my feet. On the Eve of my 70th Birthday I injured my eye putting on a batting helmet... so that I could join my 7 year-old grandson in a batting cage... and it doesn't get any better than that.
      Oh friends, love those you love with all your heart; let them love you in whatever ways they can... and praise God in all you do and say... for God is good! Amen.