I Think I’m Being Stalked….

by Deb DeArmond

 

I do not believe that I am growing suspicious or paranoid as I move through life. But for more than five years, I have been stalked. It started with notes and sometimes even a letter left in my mailbox. No signature, just initials. Then I began to have items show up in my email. Always requesting, almost begging, me to reply. Only once can I recall an attempted telephone contact, but thank goodness for Caller ID. I simply refused to pick up and left the message unanswered. Really kind of creepy.

Occasionally, I have been asked if I am associated with the stalker. It always catches me by surprise, because I can’t understand why they would inquire. There is clearly nothing that would identify a connection, nothing that trumpets a relationship. The creep factor grows each time it happens.

The contact has been intermittent over the years, but there has been a bit of a pattern. It intensifies every August. There’s a rush of attempts to establish communication, and then, although it continues throughout the year, it’s less predictable. And always the same – no signature, just initials.

So who on earth is AARP anyway? And why won’t they leave me alone?

Today, August 8, is my birthday. I wonder if that could have anything to do with the August pattern???

It’s a bit like a rude birthday card. You know the kind. Usually comes from your brother-in-law and it makes some less than flattering observation about you getting old, and has a scary picture of some wrinkly guy with no teeth on it. Or the times you can’t remember where you put your keys, and one of your kids reminds you that it’s a sign of old age. I hate that. Groucho Marx once said, “Age is not a particularly interesting subject. Anyone can get old. All you have to do is live long enough.”

But it is the subject of a LOT of conversation. Perhaps, because as part of the Baby Boomer generation, there are a lot of us – 79 million to be exact. We hold some political and economic clout. Baby Boomers hold more than 90% of the country’s net worth and account for 78% of all financial assets, of which women control over 60%, according to the National Association of Baby Boomer Women.

We are a generation who stepped up, protested, “sat in” and expressed ourselves with enthusiasm. We talked about things our parents would never have discussed. We wore our hearts and emotions on our sleeves. We felt deeply, cried loudly, and made sure we were heard.

We made different choices than the generation before us. We were the result of gratitude that World War II had concluded, and a sign that life would go on.

And it has gone on for us in a different way than it did for our folks. We are more active, more health aware, travel more frequently and we are expected to work much longer than our parents did – whether we want to or not.

There are a great many companies, organizations, and websites (including this one) aimed at our generation. The site names, in particular, are imaginative and their goals are noteworthy:

– feistysideoffifty.com – to support women 50+ in job seeking and landing the job you love.
– elderhiker.com – how to plan, organize and keep fit enough for walks, hikes, treks.
– snowbird.net – a network for mature, lifestyle travelers.
– seniorsummerschool.com – education, leisure and discovery for active 50+ at college campuses across the US and Canada.
– experienceworks.org – non-profit org that offers training, employment, & service opportunities for mature workers.

So what’s the message here? We are still players, still engaged – or still can be, if we make that choice. And I am reminded that although the alternative to aging, is not really enticing, it still may be tough for some of us to make a daily decision to live all the days of our lives. In other words, to show up, be present and continue to contribute to the world around us.

What’s the Word say about making that choice? Plenty.

• God chose two women, Sarah and Elizabeth, both described as in their “old age”, to bear two of the most significant men on earth: Isaac and John the Baptist.

• Many of the saints of the Old Testament not only lived long lives, they were well into those lives when they were chosen for the work God had for them: Abraham, Moses, Noah. We all know that Methuselah lived to be 969. But did you know that it wasn’t until the last 100 years of his life that he served as a “coach” to Noah in the whole “ark building” business?

So clearly, God is not an “ageist”. He has no problem using someone who’s no longer 30, and those are just a few examples. He never changes His mind about how He desires to use us, there’s not an expiration date on our calling. “God’s gifts and His call can never be withdrawn.” Romans 11:29.

God’s not asking us to go without making sure we have what we need to finish what He started. His promise is that He will be right there with us:

“Wisdom comes with years and long life brings understanding.” Job 12:12

“He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Phil 1:6

“I cry out to God most high, to God who will fulfill His purpose for me.” Psalm 57:2 NLT

“To everything there is a season. A time for every purpose under Heaven.” Ecc 3:1

Among my personal favorites is a familiar scripture from our dear Paul. “Don’t be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2

I know Paul was speaking of a different meaning with the word “conformed”, but when I see this scripture, it reminds me that we are NOT to be conformed to our age, this age, whatever age we may be at the moment. But he encourages us to be transformed so that we can still know and walk in the will of God for our lives. That’s powerful.

You will go to the grave at a ripe old age, like a sheaf of grain harvested at the proper time.” Job 5:26

The words “ripe old age” appears a number of times in the Word. What is that number? I don’t have a clue, but I’m certain that God knows what the “proper time” is for each of us. There is no limit placed on us by age that God cannot and has not overcome. Our part is to show up, so that the opportunity to finish strong is possible. Author Richard Bach had his own take on Romans 11:29 – “Here is the test to find out if your mission here on Earth is finished. If you’re still alive, it isn’t.”

All of that Baby Boomer willingness to speak up loudly and ensure we are heard is a great quality. We just need to hold on to that spark and invest it in the world around us, sharing what He’s taught us along the way.  As in the words of William James: “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”

Will I finally give in to the pleas of my stalker and join their “club”? No clue there, either. But I’m beginning to understand the value of associating with my “peeps”. To both give and gain encouragement as we move through this time of our lives together to finish what He has called us to. We need each other. I’m in. How about you?