I suppose I am a lot safer today than I was yesterday.

Yesterday I took down the three solar panels from my roof. The sun heated those panels and the pool water that flowed through them for almost seven years.

As the panels aged, they developed leaks, which needed to be repaired. To repair the leaks, I climbed up my telescoping ladder, connected my professional safety lanyard to my belt and plugged the leaks with epoxy glue. That worked fine until about a month ago.  Major leaks developed. I was frustrated that I was not able to plug them up.

That frustration, coupled with a new gas heater that is economical, my greenhouse-covered pool which keeps the pool water warm, and my wife’s fervent pleas that I do not go on the roof, finally motivated me to give up on the panels.

Thank goodness I no longer have to worry about what would happen if I began to fall off the roof. My belt broke.

Yesterday, for the first time in 15 years, I did not change my own oil. I let my mechanic do it.

I finally listened to my wife’s fervent pleas about not crawling under the car, and possibly having the car crush me.

Is there a connection that links giving up on the panels and on oil changing, and the fact that I am now 75 years old?

The realization that I am no longer 25 years old, but 75 years old, is a recent thing. Thanks to my balance class, I discovered that I was no longer safe trying to jump out of a chair, jump out of my car, or to move quickly from one place to another.  I learned that I had to focus on where I was going, strengthen my leg muscles, stand and walk with my legs slightly separated.

I hope you will hear my fervent pleas to tune in to what makes you safer, no matter what your age. Godspeed.

Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen@hotmail.com