The Golden Years?
As of this writing (July 2026), my wife and I are in our late 50s. Our mothers are both deceased. Our fathers are both in declining age and health (82 & 91). According to Google, they are living in the “Golden Years.” A quick search on Google revealed, “The 'golden years' refer to the later stages of life, typically following retirement around the age of 65, characterized by leisure, relaxation, and financial security. The term was popularized in the 1950s by an insurance marketing campaign to shift the perception of aging from a period of decline to one of opportunity and fulfillment.” Watching my father and father-in-law navigate the “Golden Years”, I have not seen much leisure and relaxation. I have seen quite the opposite. They have certainly slowed down, but there is nothing relaxing about it.
Ben Rector has become one of my favorite musical artists. I love how open and genuine he is in his songwriting. He often writes about his family and how chasing his dream of making music…what he thought would be fulfilling…in truth just leaves him empty. Observing his songwriting over the years, it is easy to see his progression- actually his transition- from writing about fame and fortune to writing about how it’s his family that brings fulfillment and satisfaction. Ben released a song last year (2025) titled “Golden Days” on his LP The Richest Man in the World. The message of “Golden Days” is not the relaxation we will experience in our later years. The true Golden Days (Years) are when our children are young. When they don’t always listen. When they get on our nerves. Those are the golden days.
My own children are grown now and have children of their own. Which means I am a grandparent. Quickly racing to what society calls the “Golden Years” myself. This past weekend, my wife and I had the pleasure of spending 3 days with our 2 boys, daughters-in-law, and 2 grandchildren. (January 2027, our third grandchild will arrive!) We traveled about 3 hours away, rented a house large enough for all 3 families to have their own rooms, and spent quality time together. We went to a museum, an aquarium, went on a train ride, watched a minor league baseball game, ate out for most meals, and spent way too much money. And…I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Well…maybe I would change one thing.
One of the many things I struggle with is a lack of patience. I tend to let schedules and clocks prevent me from enjoying the moments. I get frustrated if something doesn’t go how I anticipate it going. I get agitated over simple, meaningless adjustments. I may not voice it, but trust me, it shows. Oh, I’m not as bad as I used to be. I guess age does have some benefits. But I still have a long way to go. I just don’t want to miss any more of these Golden Days.
One of the choruses from Ben Rector’s song states:
One day I’ll miss moments like this.
One day I’ll wish I could go back here now.
Why does time run away? Why do things have to change?
These are the golden days.
I genuinely love my life now. My children, and therefore grandchildren, live within an hour of me. Both my boys and their wives love the Lord and each other. I pray daily that my grandchildren will grow to know and love the Lord too. I have so much to be thankful for. I’m thankful that God has provided me with the resources to take these little trips with my family. I’m also mindful. I’m mindful of the moments. I don’t want to miss any more moments that the Lord provides me. I don’t want to let the situations that might happen cause me to miss the moments that do. Time does have a way of running, and things will certainly change. Don’t miss these moments you have been given. These truly are the “Golden Days.”
(Ephesians 5:15-17)
