A couple of weeks ago I attended a reunion of my high school graduating class. That would be the 60th anniversary. The high school I attended was very small, only about 250 kids. Then of course was my graduating class was also very small with 51 kids. The reunion every year is an all-school event called Homecoming.

œWhy should I care?, you might ask. No reason. I just wanted to share an insight I had while I was there. There were people who were old as a number and there were those who were old in their speech, their movements and, of course, their view of the future.

What was clear was that those who were fully engaged and purposeful in their lives had age as a number. Those who only had the past to hang onto had no access to aliveness still present in their lives.

I was questioned often about when I was going to retire. My response was, œnever. Sure, I might modify my activity in some way but retire, not a chance. As long as I have an opportunity to make a difference with someone, I will take it. Health permitting, of course.

We have done a poor job in our society of creating an environment of respect for the elderly. Instead of viewing people as being œout of touch and œno longer useful how about viewing them as a source of learning?

I am saying none of this because I am advance in age. Thats a NO. I can take care of myself. I just feel we have an untapped resource if we would use it. There are things that can only be learned over an extended period of time.

There was one other thing that I already had experienced in previous years but it was so evident this year. It is the grounding that occurs in honoring our roots. Here is what provided that for me.

My high school is Strathmore Union in California. My Aunt Alice was in the first graduating class in 1921. There were 8 people in that class. Aunt Alice out lived her classmates by 20 years and died at 98. She was followed by my Uncle Evan (died at 98), my Dad (died at 94), my Uncle Charlie (died at 96), my Aunt Winifred (died at 96) and my Uncle Gordon who is still living at 96. The Todd family was always a presence in this small farming community.

My Dad and I had the same high school principal, D.R. Lightner. My Aunt Winifred wrote the school song which is still sung today. My cousins are also Strathmore High alums.

One of our greatest desires as human beings is to œbelong. I am clear that I belong on this planet and to that solid group of friends and relatives that form the Strathmore Union High community. It would be a great honor if I could provide something that broke up any resignation in that community about growing old. You have made a huge contribution and it is not to be denied.

Male you celebrate the elderly in your life and at the same time celebrate your own. It is a joy to be alive not a predicament.

Coach Todds latest book, œThe Art of Losing is available for coaches and leaders at lulu.com