"What's Age Got To Do With It?"

Coastal Lifestyle Column - February 2004

by Kelly Ferrin

It was only 9:00 AM when I made my first call to Caleb Elroy Shikles, 91, but he was already out and about beginning his day. Tuesdays are his "school days" and there are a number of life lessons people of all ages could learn from spending some time with Caleb.

He considers himself an "adventurer of life" and although Caleb never expected to live this long, he firmly believes life is a gift -- if we're going to be here occupying space, we need to be accountable by continuing to make a positive difference.

Caleb's spent a lifetime making a positive difference. He served 68 years as an American Baptist Minister and describes his aging as a form of ministry itself.

"I'm in the adolescence of old age," Caleb shared. "I really don't feel old within myself and while some may marvel at how I live, I think fewer people would be afraid of growing older if they'd worry less about how old they are and focus more on continuing to live life every day."

Caleb's life is full - and so are his days. On the day we met I was lucky to be squeezed in during the one hour he took for lunch. His morning started early with the Men's Breakfast Club, followed by his 10AM Singing Class where they sing all the old love songs, to his 11AM Writing Class. After lunch he was off to his 1PM Brain Aerobics class taught by a Ph.D. where they work on memory and mind exercises and at 4PM he attended a Current Events class taught by a lawyer.

"Classes and learning are stimulating," Caleb explained. "We aren't here in this life to just vegetate - we're here to touch people purposely."

It's evident Caleb continues to connect with people. He's a gregarious soul who always has a smile upon his face as he swiftly walks the halls, going here and there, greeting everyone by name along the way. As a six-year resident of Wesley Palms in Pacific Beach, Caleb thoroughly enjoys the array of people and activities available to him on this spectacular 40 acre campus with views that span the downtown city lights to Coronado, the San Diego Bay and everything inbetween.

While Caleb continues to enjoy life's adventures (he just recently returned from a trip to Rome with nine fellow residents - all of which were female) he also spends a lot of time helping others. From his "Rolling Readers" tutoring at a local elementary school to his "Listening Post" for residents, staff and even a special program for those with Alzheimers, Caleb believes it's people's responsibility to give back.

"People my age need to learn they need to do more helping!" Caleb said. "I guess some think that because we've lived long we deserve to just sit back, relax, and do nothing. None of us "deserve" anything in this life. It's never been about what you get - it's what you give that truly counts."

Certainly Caleb is making every minute of his life count and lives his life by the golden rule: It's not about whether your life was successful - it's about whether your life was significant.

That's indeed a life lesson for the ages -- and all ages.

Kelly Ferrin is a local gerontologist residing in Carlsbad. She is a

certified AARP retirement specialist, motivational speaker, consultant, and

author of a nationally released book titled, "What's Age Got To Do With

It?" For column ideas contact her at (760)438-2126 or on the internet at

ageangel.com.