Once again, this will be my last year decorating

A few years ago as our staff got together for our Christmas party, in my mind I was thinking it would be the last time I would enjoy the occasion with them.

Don Estep is publisher of the News Journal.

As one gets older these kind of thoughts run through your mind.

Fortunately I’m still here at this newspaper at age 84 enjoying the companionship of our staff.

Year after year I’ve said to myself, “This is the last year I’m going to do the outside decorating of our home.” Again this year I’ve almost killed myself hanging from a ladder and stringing up lights and decorations. The other day I told my neighbor, “This is my last year for this.”

It is not and I know it is not as long as my health will allow. There is something about the Christmas season that makes me want to do these things.

I was kidding today about old age. There is never a time you should stop unless health reasons stop you. I like what my 101 year old friend Paul Jones said, “You will rust out before you’ll wear out.”

I googled what to expect at 80 years and older and the first thing it read was mobility decreases dramatically. They got that one right, at least for me.

There is only one job that I think there should be an age limit for and it is for the president of the United States. That job is too important for people of advanced age to hold.

It is not necessarily because of their mental capabilities, but rather for the possibility that the person holding the position will not finish the job. Presently, both men who are leading the two parties are too old to hold that office. Until an age restriction is placed on that position we will be faced with that possibility. It would be best if both would give it up to a younger person.

But that is the only position that I see that should have that restriction.

OK, enough of that. It is the Christmas season and the best season of the year. And speaking of best, the best way to enjoy the Christmas season is by attending church. After all, isn’t that why we celebrate?

Sunday as I sat in church after the service while others were decorating I felt much more of the Christmas spirit than I did hanging on the ladder at my house. You’ll feel that spirit much better in church.

In our Community announcements and in news stories in our newspaper there are listed many activities you can enjoy during the month of December.

Christmas at the Cumberlands will be held this Sunday. Also this Saturday Corbin will hold its Christmas parade and Saturday the First Christian Church of Corbin will have their annual Christmas Craft Bazaar. Throughout the month there will be many more events you can enjoy.