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18 | OHCC LIVING | JULY 2026 | Finding What Makes Us Feel Young As I approach 50, I find myself thinking more and more about getting older. My body certainly reminds me that I'm not 25 anymore. Watching my children become adults is another reminder. Our oldest son is about to turn 26. Sometimes I think about the fact that if he had a child at the same age that Jandy and I had him, I would have become a grandfather four years ago. While I genuinely love this stage of life, there are moments when I miss being younger. Lately, I've found myself ref lecting on the things that brought me joy, excitement, and happiness when I was growing up. Things like spending summer days at the town pool, chasing lightning bugs under the Pennsylvania night sky, fishing in the pond behind our house, and riding my bike into town to buy bottlecaps at the corner drug store. I remember roller skating at the rink in Troy, Pennsylvania and nervously holding hands for the first time while Tiffany's I ink We're Alone Now played over the speakers. I remember rolling the car window down and letting the wind blow through my hair. Even today, that simple feeling still makes me feel young. Some things remind me of being young. Other things actually make me feel young. Playing Wiff le Ball makes me feel young. Seeing an old muscle car makes me feel young. Date nights with my wife make me feel young. Even drinking a Coke can takes me back to the days when my friends and I would shake them up and try to spray each other. I don't know if there's any science behind it, but I like to believe that no matter our age, we can choose to reconnect with the things that once brought us joy. The people, places, activities, and experiences that made us smile years ago can still have that same effect today. Over the next several months, I'd like to share some of the things that make me feel young in the hope that it encourages you to find your own. July always makes me think about the Fourth of July. When I was growing up, my favorite July activity involved bottle rockets and firecrackers. Since that's probably not the best recommendation today, I found something a little simpler for the month of July. A swing. A few weeks ago, I found myself sitting on a swing, and for a few minutes I felt like a kid again. When I wasn't getting into trouble and standing next to my teacher during recess, I was usually on the swings — or chasing girls. I remember trying to swing higher than everyone else, feeling the wind rush past me, seeing how high I could go before jumping off and sticking the landing. For a few moments, sitting on that swing brought all of those memories rushing back. This month, I want to encourage you to find your "swing." Maybe it's camping. Maybe it's fishing. Maybe it's dancing, riding a bike, eating an ice cream cone, listening to an old song, or taking a drive with the windows down. Whatever it is, take some time this month to reconnect with something that makes you feel young. When you see me around the Clubhouse, stop by and tell me what your "swing" is. I'd love to hear your story. Speaking of things that make people feel young, for our front desk Receptionist Kim Kennedy, it's camping. Kim has been welcoming residents at the front desk Monday through Friday for the past year, and over the next several months I'd like to introduce you to more members of our Recreation Team. Recreation News By CJ Palmer