After spending several years blogging about the challenges that I faced during my wife’s struggle with Alzheimer’s and ultimately her death, I expanded my focus to Aging Gracefully. Typically, as an adverb, gracefully connotes attractiveness, elegance, and dignity. Several months down the road, I fully intended to point out that my desire is not to emphasize human merit in the process of aging — rather, I want to dwell on the free and unmerited favor of God and His bestowal of blessings during the inevitable challenges associated with aging in the final chapter(s) of our lives.
My intended timetable was altered by the events of September 7-19, 2026. The following conversation illustrates my point:
Good morning, Ron….
In today’s devotional, two questions were posed: Who are you thankful for? Who has impacted your life? I have never forgotten the challenge that you issued to me on a summer afternoon in 1975, before I went away to Florida State University. You simply asked me if I intended to go to church when I moved away. And, then you said something that I will never forget: “You are never stagnant with God. You are either moving closer to Him or further away from Him.”
Your challenge to me was issued over 50 years ago. Thank you for that. In recent years, since my divorce, I have immersed myself in Scripture, devotions, service and helping others. My life has become so much more meaningful because of it. What you said to me on that day still rings in my ears.
I pray that you are doing well, and that God will bless you today and always.
Sincerely, Don Koon
Don,
Your remembering me today was very meaningful. When I went to bed last night, I asked God to allow me to wake up with fresh hope. In the past 2 weeks, I have fallen 3 times resulting in severe damage to the skin on both arms, 3 broken ribs, and a concussion.
Last month, I began a new blog devoted to aging. With your permission, I would like to include your note in next month’s posting.
Thank you for being used by God to bless me.
Ron Harvard
Story Behind the Story
By now, you are probably trying to connect the picture accompanying today’s blog and my unfolding story. Taken on October 11, 2020, on a stretch of Highway 129 in Eastern, Tennessee known as the Dragon’s Tail, Don is vividly illustrating a life principle that contributed to his becoming a successful businessman: “When life throws you a curve, lean into it and roll on the throttle!” Interestingly, if my father had still been alive, that date would have been his 110th birthday. A life principle that contributed to his becoming a successful businessman was, “When moving forward, if I hit a wall, I back up and hit it again!”
Impact of a Simple Prayer
In my youth and continuing to this day, I regularly pray a simple prayer, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). On that long ago summer day in 1975, I had no idea that the words that I spoke to a young Don Koon would powerfully return to bless me over 50 years later.
Don’s father was pastoring the church where I had grown up, the Lake Wales Church of God, and my parents were still active members. Don was a student at Polk Community College – attending classes in the morning and working for my father who was a building contractor in the afternoon. Even then, Daddy was impressed with his work ethic and Can-Do attitude! I am quite sure that he would be proud of the man Don has become and greatly appreciative of his recent ministry to me!
