What kind of old man do you want to be…?

Here’s the list from Gordon MacDonald’s book “The Life God Blesses.” I thought it was great!  We are told to spend so much time, energy, and money planning for our elder years.  How much time do we spend building the character qualities that we’d like to have by the time we reach them?  I’ve included many quotes from the book, and some comments of my own.
The kind of old man I want to be…
…is full of gratitude. “All of them are appreciative. Their conversation, their correspondence, and their responses to events are all marked by appreciation.
…is enthusiastically interested in the accomplishments of the younger generation. “They take delight in what they see their younger comrades able to accomplish.” Ouch!  Envy and criticism be gone!
…keeps his mind sharp and agile. “Unlike so many others, they have not stopped thinking, not ceased grasping for new ideas.”
…thinks in macro terms. “They look at life from the largest point of view, and they resist panic when sudden events grab the headlines and younger people are sure that the end of theme has arrived.”
…never retires. “They are called to the notion that life and vitality are in the act of adding value to the generations.”
…still loves his wife, deeply and romantically. “When they speak of their wives , they speak in noble tones, and each man does nothing but heap praise and appreciation on the one with whom he’s walked through the majority of life.”
…does not try to hold on to institutional power. “They do not try to control (or maintain control of) people.” (Italics mine.)  It is surprising to me to see the absence of any real strategic thinking concerning the transfer of leadership in churches, and the resultant panic when suddenly faced with the need to find a new pastor, or fill a leadership position in the ministry.  I hope as I reach my sunset years of life that I spend increasing amounts of time and energy simply hanging out with younger men and their families, encouraging them to stay strong in their faith and loyal in their commitments.  I hope I graciously and optimistically hand the reins of leadership to a younger man, rather than having those reins taken from my hands by others, or time itself.  I hope that my stepping down from a ministry position is not a cause of instability or panic for my church, but a gracious, joyful event following a lifetime of “giving away” ministry to the up and coming generation.
…knows how to pray, “…they have come to realize that there are no more vital moments than those in which they are in close contact with God.”  Wow!  Do we really plan to become more committed to prayer as we age, or simply assume we’re fine now, or will naturally increase in that area?
What a list! Let me ask you this….What kind of old man, or old woman, to you want to be?  Is there anything you’d add to the list?  Let me know your thoughts!
Ken