SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016
| TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 133
17th season with the Rays’ baseball team.
Everyone asks me, “When are you going
to retire?”, and I tell them, “Only when I
have to.” I loved covering sports during
my broadcast career, and I love being a part
of the Rays in my “after life.” Therefore, I
have no reason to stop.
I wanted to do something special for
Penny on our anniversary, so I planned
an excursion on the Rocky Mountaineer,
a railroad trip through the West. It was
wonderful! We had a great time and
enjoyed spectacular scenery with friends.
We had time to reflect on our life together
over the past 50 years, discussing things
we shared, both large and small. There had
been a few bumps in the road and, even
though we didn’t always agree at first,
we were able to work them out together.
Do you ever wonder,
“Where have the years
gone?” We tend to talk
about what life was like
in “the old days.” I always think
of it as being a much slower pace.
Cellphones, e-mail and social
media are probably part of the reason
that things seem to be moving faster.
Information flies back and forth, and
everyone wants everything “now.”
Whatever the reason, it appears to me
that the older I get, the faster everything
happens. After I passed my twenties,
the days, months and years seemed to
accelerate. Once, I was only 21 years old,
and then suddenly I was 50. I have no idea
how this happened.
All of these thoughts started when
my wife Penny and I celebrated our 50th
Wedding Anniversary this past August.
Our memories of the two of us in our
twenties are vivid. Yet, here we are 50
years later with two children and three
grandchildren. I have spent almost 50
years in broadcasting, and I am in my
A 50-year anniversary is
considered a milestone by most; it
is a long time. But, I think some of
my feelings about how quickly it
passed is due to our viewpoint as we
age. Some say that “old” is anyone
more than 15 years older than what
you are at the time. However, at my age,
I have begun to realize how many young
people are all around me. Many people
today are concerned about physical fitness.
Whether it’s walking, yoga or going to
the gym to lift weights, they are staying
in better shape and are also keeping their
minds sharp, so that even older people feel
young. But, whatever your age, nothing
can replace memories; so, as you collect
them, be sure to take time to reflect upon
them and enjoy them, or as they say, “Stop
and smell the roses.”
To all of you who have reached the upper
ages, remember that you are in rarified air.
As you breathe in deeply, smile, because
you have earned it. 9
COMMAERNTTARY
So Go
The Years
By Dick Crippen
Dick Crippen