I am reminded by friends and family every day that I am getting older, but lately I have experienced a couple of reminders which have truly convinced me time is indeed flying by.  

The first was the demolition of Celebration Station at the Shelbyville Parks and Recreation Departments H.V. Griffin Park. Thanks to Kanya Gordon, my daughter’s second grade teacher at Eakin Elementary 21 years ago, I have the plank where her name was carved.  

Many had their names placed on the planks as part of the fence surrounding the playground or on bricks in front of the entrance as donors to the project. They were made available to the public prior to the removal of the playground.  

It was a Leadership Bedford project with people of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels providing the sweat equity to build the wooden structure. It was a true community effort we all could be proud of.  

People worked in shifts. Food was furnished. It reminded me of what it must have been like to have a “barn raising”. It served children from 1998-2021.  

Like many of us, Celebration Station was showing wear and tear from the effects of use, the elements and time. A new facility was needed, and the funding came together for a new playground. Many of us have our memories of helping build the playground and then spending time with our children as they enjoyed our work.  

The second was the Rolling Stones concert last Saturday night at Nissan Stadium as part of the “No Filter” Tour. There were more people in the 60-plus range than there were people in their teens and twenties. For some the event was timeless since they appeared by their dress, hairstyles and behavior to still be stuck in the mid1960s to the 1970s. Due to circumstances beyond my control I had to leave the concert after the first three songs.  

Mick Jagger and the band were in fine form. I am sure it was a great show. How Jagger can still perform, both vocally and physically, the way he does at the age of 78 amazes me. Guitarist Keith Richards is close behind at 77, though he looks like he is 107. Ron Woods is the youngster at 74.  

Earlier this year the oldest member of the band, Charlie Watts, passed away at the age of 80. He has been replaced by Steve Jordan. Watts, before his death, had recommended Jordan as his replacement. The first incarnation of the band started in 1962 with their first album debuting in 1964.  

Despite all of their tours and performances the band still expresses a sincere enjoyment in performing. It was my third time to see them live, but as more proof I am getting older, I doubt they will ever be making a return visit to Nashville.  

A couple of my friends are certain this is not the group’s final tour. As a grouchy old man, I don’t share their optimism. Having to leave the concert early convinced me of another thing we need to grab every experience we can while we can because there is no promise of tomorrow.  

Actor Mathew Broderick, playing Ferris Bueller in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” is right. To slightly paraphrase “life does move pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile you could miss it.