“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” (Henry Ford)
It's not our age that defines us; it’s our attitude. Reaching a certain age doesn’t mean we become invisible and sit around watching TV all day. Chronologically speaking, age is just a number, and you can’t change that. But what you can change is your mindset. SuperLifers recognize there is more of the world and of themselves that they can explore...and they do just that.
As I was writing this latest blog on "SuperLifers," it occurred to me that every Superlifer I have written about up to now has been a teacher in some way. Maybe it's because a teacher adopts the mindset of constantly learning. In this blog, you get two for the price of one: Gary and Lori Houck are retired teachers who have learned how to "stay young."
Gary and I go way back to my junior year in high school when we played football together. He was our tall, slim quarterback, and I was a lineman who was not. Lori and I became acquainted when we all attended Longfield Baptist Church over forty years ago. Although we didn't run in the same social circles, I have always admired and respected the contributions that Lori and Gary have made, not only to our community but to the lives of so many young people.
It seems as if teaching is in both Gary and Lori Houck's DNA. Gary knew he wanted to be a teacher from the time he was in eighth grade when his reading teacher asked him to teach PE to some special education students. Lori planned to be a secretary, but after falling in love with teaching while student-teaching at LMU, she changed her major from business to education. Then, in the summer, immediately after graduating, a teaching position for Business Education opened at Lake City High School in Lake City (Rocky Top), Tennessee. Lori will tell you, "I strongly feel the Lord had this laid out for my life because the puzzle pieces just fell into place for me to teach." For the next nearly 40 years, Lori and Gary were teachers/administrators in Anderson County, Tennessee.
For most of their lives, Gary and Lori have had four constants: living in East Tennessee, having a relationship with Jesus, being married (nearly 50 years), and teaching. As much as Gary and Lori Houck have had these things in common, these SuperLifers are unique individuals. Lori loves yoga, snorkeling, reading, and scuba diving. Gary is into sports, gardening, beekeeping, and raising chickens for their eggs.
When asked, "What are your thoughts on your retirement?" Gary said, "I like having the freedom to do whatever I want, whenever I want. I don't feel old, and I am not ready to slow down." Lori told me, "This is the happiest time of my life. I truly enjoyed teaching, but retirement has been fantastic. I realize I am getting older, but I don't feel old. I have not slowed down much. I stay very active."
Two things are certain in this season of their lives: Gary and Lori are "not ready to slow down" and are "staying very active." One of their passions has always been traveling, and they don't plan on stopping anytime soon. Over the years, they have been to all 50 states: Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean Islands, several Polynesian islands, Ireland, Scotland, England, and France.
For Gary, baseball has also been a passion. Gary played. ball in both high school and college. He started coaching girls' high school softball in 1981 and continues to share his wisdom by coaching as a volunteer for the Anderson County High School Lady Mavs softball. In fact because of all he has contributed over the years. Anderson County High School named their softball field "The Gary Houck Softball Field".
For Lori, another of her passions is serving in the Church. Lori turned to Jesus when she was eight years old and often tells her life story of how God led her through changing colleges and into education.
And yet, if asked, I think both Lori and Gary would tell you their favorite part of retirement is best reflected in their favorite nicknames: GPa and Gigi. They have three grandkids: Abaigel, Killian, and Raegan. When I asked Gary what things you are looking forward to, he said, "I'm looking forward to living life as a seventy-year-old, our 50th wedding anniversary, and "doing things with the grandkids, playing a part in molding them into fine young adults."
When asked, "If you could tell everyone what you have learned about life after 60, what would you say"? Lori gave me some of the best advice I have heard. She said, "There is more to enjoy in life than being a couch potato. Surround yourself with people who have a "stay active/stay young" mindset. Finding something you enjoy and spend time doing it every day.
Thank you, Gary and Lori, for reminding us that it's never too late to start living a superlife.
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