Y is for Young at Heart
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
March 7, 2026
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
~ C.S. Lewis
Larry and I have a long driving trip this time every year - more about our adventure plans later.
Our first stop this year is Lexington, KY to spend some time with my Dad, George Ely. I have mentioned before that he is 98 years old. Yesterday, I got to drive him around to his various activities. I picked him up from band practice (I remember how he used to drop me off for early morning band practice when I was in high school!). He had a doctor appointment for which he came prepared with notes and questions - I had the privilege of sitting in and was able to hear first hand how focused he is on maintaining - no, actually improving - his already good health, so that he can keep doing what he loves to do. What a gift he is to us - his person and his example as someone who loves life and takes good care of himself so that he can keep learning and enjoying things.
Last weekend I was so lucky! I got to be with Nolan, 10, and Maddie, 6, and their parents, Michael and Leah, in Brooklyn, NY. The opposite end of the age continuum. I watched and listened as both Nolan and Maddie pursued dreams and set goals. Friday afternoon, Maddie had her piano lesson, and Nolan his guitar lesson (he is currently learning “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes - what a kick it was to hear both kids loudly singing this song!). Nolan also asked me to download the Duolingo app and invited me to be his friend so that we could learn Italian together. “Buongiorno! Io sono Mary Beth.”
Maddie persuaded me to help her (or, really, to watch her) as she worked through some science experiments. She chattered and narrated throughout all of her experiments, making sure I understood things. For one experiment, she filled a beaker with water, and tested which small items would sink and which would float - before dropping the item into the water, she carefully “weighed” it in her hand and predicted what would happen. Next she dropped an old penny into a test tube filled with water, and another old penny into a tube filled with lemon juice - and yes, the lemon juice penny was the shinier one after 15 minutes! Last, she poured various spices into test tubes and had her family and friends in the house close their eyes and smell the tube, making a guess about what spice was in each tube - all good until she accidentally got cinnamon in her eye! But after some tears and eye washing, she prevailed and returned to the task.
PS the best compliment ever was when Nolan told me I was “really chill” - at least I think it was a compliment! BTW I doubt that Michael and Julie would have thought I was chill when they were growing up. There are definitely benefits to being the grandparent.
Life is a gift. Each individual comes to this earth with a unique set of gifts and talents that can be nurtured and developed throughout their lives to make their own lives richer and more interesting, and to contribute to the larger community. It is such a thrill watching my loved ones discover and re-discover who they are and what they are about, and seeing them find ways to create and express themselves - regardless of their age!
May we work together to find ways to ensure safe and secure conditions so that all humans can do this with joy - what a glorious world that would be!
Stay tuned for my final Abecedarian post - Z is for ?, and news about our trip.
Photo: the ultra-talented and charming Skeets Pennington who is no longer with us, playing in Young at Heart Band..
Video below photo: Dad’s band - The Young at Heart Band. This video is from about 10 years ago. Dad is the sax player in the center of the first row.
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