It isn’t that complicated. Now that I’m older, I simply recognize my limitations when speaking and singing. For example, on Palm Sunday yesterday, I sang in the church choir with a brother sharing his music with me (too far to see most words). I had worn my sunglasses to drive, but forgot my eyeglasses for the meeting — good for seeing the speakers from my back row, but not for sheet music (too close) — an aside. My vocalism was weak anyway, since accidentally losing my voice in Detroit 2018. I sang on tune, but the congregation didn’t hear me. So, luckily the brother and I were the only ones aware of the intersection of aging eyesight and lame vocal cords. Regardless, my presence counted.
When speaking to young people, I sometimes fail to first get their attention; so they ask, “What?” When talking to seniors, who are typically hard of hearing, I often fail to speak loud enough; so they ignore me or ask, “What?”
Nevertheless, I thank God for my voice paired with eyes that communicate love … surely strengthened by my young wife Kay’s love for others. For we are one.
