A Cactus' Lesson

worldofsucculents.com

Editor's Note: Greg Asimakoupoulos is a contibutor to SeniorLifestyle, with the "Rhymes and Reasons" feature that originally appears on My Rhymes and Reasons website. This piece appeared as a special report in the Neighbor section of the January 19, 2022 Daily Herald, which is published in suburban Chicago, including Naperville, where Greg once served as a pastor. He now resides in Washington state.

A few years ago I attended a clergy retreat nestled up against the entrance to Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona.

It was the first time I had ever experienced this part of the desert southwest.

With spring blossoms and bird migration, I was drinking in the beauty (and some facts) like a thirsty sponge.

With a friend I took a nature walk among the cactuses.

Thanks to signs posted on the trail, I discovered that the saguaro cactus only grows in this part of the United States.

This familiar species most often associated with western movies is generally recognized by the arms that grow from its prickly tubular trunk.

Another factoid I discovered is that saguaros do not start out with appendages.

Up until the time a saguaro produces a limb, it looks like a gigantic prickly cucumber.

What truly amazed me is the length of time it takes for the cactus' signature branches to appear.

According to park officials, the average saguaro does not grow "arms" until it is between 50 to 70 years of age.

With spring blossoms and bird migration, I was drinking in the beauty (and some facts) like a thirsty sponge.

With a friend I took a nature walk among the cactuses.

Thanks to signs posted on the trail, I discovered that the saguaro cactus only grows in this part of the United States.

This familiar species most often associated with western movies is generally recognized by the arms that grow from its prickly tubular trunk.

Another factoid I discovered is that saguaros do not start out with appendages.

Up until the time a saguaro produces a limb, it looks like a gigantic prickly cucumber.

What truly amazed me is the length of time it takes for the cactus' signature branches to appear.

According to park officials, the average saguaro does not grow "arms" until it is between 50 to 70 years of age.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

The scriptures provide case study after case study of senior adults who maximized their productivity after the age of 65.

For example, Moses was 80 years old before God deemed him ready to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage.

The first 40 years of his life were invested in being trained in leadership in the courts of Pharaoh.

The second 40 years provided him with knowledge of the Sinai wilderness, where he would be called to shepherd God's people.

By the time he turned 80, he was ready for a new assignment.

In three months' time, I will begin my eighth decade of life and my fifth decade of marriage.

As I approach my 70th birthday, I have a renewed appreciation for the unique challenges and privileges this season of life offers.

I, for one, am grateful for a job that allows me to contribute beyond what we used to consider "retirement age." Experience and lessons learned from it are valuable companions on this stretch of life's journey.

Perhaps we all need to learn the lesson of the cactus. There are opportunities to grow and reach regardless of how many candles will adorn our birthday cake this year.