Rev. Jeff Johnson of University Lutheran Chapel shares that, "Rev. Pieper loved to write poetry and short stories. In lieu of an obituary, we offer this reflection which he wrote on the occasion of his 80th birthday."
Remembrances at 80 (by Walt Pieper)
When I hear that someone has turned 80 I think, “That’s old.” When I think about myself being 80, I find a life filled with years that have brought, and still bring, me happiness, great family experiences, wonderful opportunities, good friends, memories of travel adventures, good health and exciting possibilities for the future.
Time passes quicker, but I move slower.
In reaching this stage in life, I find that as a patriarch in our family I have become a “person of interest” to some, remembering trivia but having trouble remembering where my keys are. It is a joy to see our children settled with jobs they enjoy, and grandchildren alive with new adventures, filled with hope for themselves and the world.
Janice, a teacher in the parish school, was brave enough to marry me. The wedding was in Merrill, Wisconsin, held in a church beautifully decorated for Christmas, which included a long sermon by my father and communion restricted to the bride and groom. Janice’s family and friends sat on one side of the church, and the few who knew me sat on the other. I thought the church might flip over with so many on one side and so few on the other. The most memorable feature of the wedding was the temperature: it was -30 degrees, without figuring in the wind chill factor. Contrary to Wisconsin practice there was no dancing--the groom doesn’t know how to dance. The greatest joy in our marriage was the birth of Tobid, Japeth and Christa. The joy turned to sadness with the death of Japeth, son, husband, father and friend who didn’t know the meaning of “no” to any request.
Travel doesn’t hold as much interest as it once did, but the memories of travel remain clear: driving around the Mediterranean Sea, Holy Week in Jerusalem, a two month honeymoon with travel throughout much of Europe, especially Croatia, a year of study in Germany, time in the Cape Town area of South Africa, a sabbatical in eastern Germany, several cross country drives in the United States and once across Canada; a visit to the place of my birth in northern Ontario (Waubewawa) where the hospital has now become a rest home (should I end life where I started it?), a visit to the 9 point parish that my father served upon graduation from seminary; frequent trips to my parents in Florida and travels to Wisconsin to see Janice’s mother and other relatives and friends; exploring California; celebrations of birthdays with Arizona friends who were also celebrating. One trip included hiking Death Valley’s Zabriski’s Point, on my 70th.
The bottles of pills increase, and doctors’ visits are more frequent (even though 2 doctors said that I was a bore as a patient); there are more aches and pains; projects take longer, rest stops are more welcome, the recliner is both a reading place and a napping site; old interests don’t hold my attention, and what was once important has become less so, replaced by attempts at mellowness, kindness and love.
The streets and freeways have become safer. After 60+ years of driving, I have given up my car keys and am enjoying a $7 reduction in car insurance costs.
Among my joys are good music—classical, especially baroque—with Christa singing; books, the latest that I have read—“Silence” by Diarmaid MacCulloch and John Eliot Gardiner’s “Bach”; visits from friends, letters, emails, phone calls and invitations; attending church (without having to write and deliver sermons); concerts; parties; the good food that Janice makes every day; loving, caring and helping family; scotch straight up (bar tenders now call it “neat”); garden produce; wine, even 2 buck Chuck; flowering plants; good news; movies; quiet neighbors; well behaved dogs; bright sunshine; hardy laughs and all of you who have come into my life.
The last time I had a stress test, the women conducting it wondered if they would still be working at the hospital when I come in for the test when I am 100. I am not looking forward that. I aim at making every day a good day, living in the thankfulness that life is a precious gift of God to be cared for but always mindful that I am mortal, and ready to make room for others to serve as my replacement.
