My First Senior Discount
A joking question at a youth football game led to my first senior discount—and a reminder of what makes getting older worthwhile.
I took my grandson to watch my nephew play in his fifth- and sixth-grade football game. My grandson is about the same age and plays football too.
Admission was five dollars per person. I was only being facetious when I asked the woman at the gate, “What about a senior discount?”
“You have to be fifty-five or older.”
“You’re kidding.”
“No.”
“Well, I just turned fifty-six.”
She changed the total to five dollars. I still had to pay for my grandson, who was attending with me, but apparently I qualified to get in free.
What startled me was that I hadn’t been asking seriously. She clearly didn’t think I was fifty-six, or she probably would have given me the discount without my saying anything. Once I told her, she didn’t even ask for identification.
Apparently I’m old enough to get in free but young enough that I still have to ask.
The better part of the day was watching my nephew play quarterback. He ran for three touchdowns, passed for another, and handed the ball off for one more. Kearsley was playing Clio, my old high school. The Clio players were a little bigger than he was, and on his last touchdown he went sideline to sideline, got through their line, and scored. I thought he looked like a little Barry Sanders. The little guy was incredible.
A girl had even shown up just to watch him play. He’s also the grandson of my late brother-in-law, Matt.
Seeing him and my grandson grow up really puts me in my place. Time moves whether I’m ready for it or not. But I wouldn’t trade that for the world.
My first senior discount—at a fifth- and sixth-grade football game.
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