—Exodus 20:12
For obvious reasons, there aren’t many of them, but Cathy and I found one this weekend. Once we had the card, we took it to the checkout counter, and the lady said, "You must being going to Louie’s party!"
"How did you know?" we asked.
"He is in here each day visiting and laughing with all of us. We just love him."
I met Louie later that day and although small and stooped in stature, he was bigger than life.
Smiling, insisting on doing things for himself, by himself, he moved through the crowded reception hall, greeting each by name and laughing when he forgot. I asked him what he was going to do to celebrate his centenary mark. Without missing a beat he said, "I’m going to Vegas…next weekend."
He wasn’t kidding. I met his youngest son Steve, who had flown in from up north, and he confirmed that they had a destination party planned: hotel, shows, and dinners all lined up!
With obvious admiration in his eyes and voice, Steve told me the story of the man he admires and honors...his dad. Louie grew up near Indianapolis and has loved car racing all his life. He and Mom would go to races and Vegas each year…over 40 times! Vegas was a touch point with both memorable events of the past and the launching pad for Louie’s next century.
Steve went on to say how his Dad insisted on caring for himself, not complaining about the problems of aging, rather finding creative ways to deal with them…always with a smile. Living by himself, Louie looks after his own grocery shopping and laundry, along with other appointments in the community. I asked how he got around and was stunned by the answer.
"Dad is still driving!"
In fact Louie went voluntarily to the DMV for a test last week and surprised them all by reading every line on the eye chart down to the second smallest. They called a supervisor to check it out and when he did it again the whole place cheered! Aware and alert, Louie knows the dangerous intersections, and plans his trips with care, never driving at night.
He loves cars and loves racing. He was wearing a "Red Bull" racing cap and I asked what that was about. "I’m an honorary member of the team," Louie said. "Last year I went to 18 NASCAR races."
Imagine that. I have not been to one and Louie goes to 18 during his 99th year of life.
All I could say to Louie was "Bless you my new friend."
He said, "Well bless you!" as he hugged my wife with a big smile.
You never know who is going to be an inspiration in your life. Even if only for a moment they somehow last for a long time. Maybe it will be the next patient, or family member or physician partner. The real key is being open to the moment and allowing room in your heart for a glimpse of joy and awe!
They might just be a "Louie!"
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