I'm Just Sayin

“Who you callin’ Old?” Not this KoolAid Man!”

                                          “I’m Just Sayin’”

                                                                 by Alan P. Scaglione

When did I become… the “old” guy?

My whole life, I have always been the youngest one of the bunch.

Back growing up, the thing I loved most about my brother Paul was…

He let me hang out with his gang! They were all 5 years older than I was!

But Paul said, “If Alan can’t go, then I’m not going!” – Thank you, Paul!

Maybe that’s why I’ve always fit in with older people?

I’ve always done things older people were doing—at a younger age.

There’s an “old” couple, in their 80’s, The Brocks, who will tell you every time they see me…

“Alan taught our adult Sunday school class when he was 12, and it’s the best lesson on Faith that we’ve ever heard!”

And they are right—I did!!

And I didn’t think anything of it! Just thought ALL twelve year olds taught Sunday school--the Adult Class!

When I was in high school and college, I always hung out with older kids.

And I never felt like I was the “young one” around them – I just always fit in!

So somehow….we get from there….to….my life today!

I work in a CallCenter!

I sit on a row with the following:

Three 32 year old guys

Two 22 year old girls

And…me!

The OLD GUY!

And I have to wonder… How’d that happen???

Back in my day, that “old guy” was TK ! That’s what I called him!

His name was Tim Killion—picture an old man of the sea!

Navy guy who never got off the ship….even though he is on dry land.

Tim would bark answers at you – never explaining why the answer applied…

Or how…to arrive at the answer! His philosophy was…

You climb the mountain, knock on the door, hope it opens, ask your question…wait forever and…Voila!

 Answer provided! BUT NO explanation…you just go away, until…you have to climb that mountain again!

Maybe you have worked with people like that?

They don’t want to teach—they just want to bark answers!

For the record—not an effective way to teach!!

I was determined NEVER to be that guy!

I consciously set out to teach as I learned. Dispensing my knowledge to those around me as I learned it—I would pass it on!

I set out to tear that mountain down—along with the door that held the mystical answers!

I said, “When I get old… I want to be approachable, knowledgeable and appreciated!”

And apparently, I became my version of “That” old guy!

I pass along tidbits as I learn them…to my managers, my colleagues, customers.

I give advice along with those “back in our day” comments.

Apparently, I’ve collected a lot of “Alanisms” that I dispense.

They are my parables to life—funny and yet memorable.

Like “If you don’t water your own garden, someone else will!”

Or… “The grass on the other side may look greener, but be careful…it’s Astroturf!”

You know…”old guy” wisdom!

By the way, you know you’re old when…

You start your comments with “back in our day…”

Never realized how many times I say that???

My colleagues also know…I’m “that guy” who prays…for them, for their families, for their lives.

And encourage and remind…”there’s a higher power you can call on and God is always available to you”—

All they have to do is call on HIS name!

I am consistently someone they can depend on to help, teach, advise and encourage.

But…I was that when…I was “the young guy!”

Funny, but today…I guess I am THAT old guy…

The scripture says “I was young, and now am old, but I’ve never seen the righteous forsaken or His seed out begging bread!” Psalm 37:25

And that’s the consistency to my life—when I was young, He fed me; now that I am “old” He feeds me—He has been the consistent presence in my life… my whole life!

He’s the Keeper of My Life!

My goal has always been…to reflect Christ in all I do.

I just hope…they see Jesus in that Old Guy at work!

Until Next Time

I’m Just Sayin’…

Brother “A”

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