[Cue 80’s Montage] I need a Heeee-RO! I’m holding out for a hero till the end of the niiiiight. He’s gotta be strong and he’s gotta be fast and he’s gotta BUCKLE UP FOR SAFETY.

I mean YAS Mr. Hardware Everywhere.

Anyone else relate to this fine gentleman? Cuz I do.

I definitely was the one child always wearing her helmet AND kneepads, elbowpads, shinpads, or whatever pads I could get my hands on. As a teenager this was my typical reaction to things— “What do you mean the middle seatbelt’s broken? Get me out of this car PRONTO!!!” And as an adult— at any given opportunity I will 100% declare the dangers of the chemicals in perfumes and colognes and how they disrupt hormones and other illnesses.

Yes. I would give Smokey the Bear a run for his money.

But who woulda thought that Mr. Gray does not always agree with me i.e. that boring, run-of-the-mill, you can’t be too careful lifestyle? Well, this might be a shock to everyone, but seniors are actually just people who have simply gotten older. Let me repeat that. Seniors are actually just people who have simply gotten older.

What does this all meeeeeean?!!?! Well, Mr. Gray is not defined by his grayness and you can’t put him into a box and wrap him up with a little silver bow. NOW: Do people tend to get more careful as they age…. yessiryBob. But, not always. Who’s to say it can’t go in the opposite direction? Well, this Mr. Gray went far in the opposite direction. In fact, he went up, down, sideways, and all around.

Check out this senior daredevil:

https://www.higherperspectives.com/grandfather-zip-line-world-record-2603563577.html

One Hundred and Six Years Old Zipliner breaking world records! Holy cow. I mean come on man I don’t even go in the ocean past my waist anymore! My favorite part, if you’re wondering, is the way he takes calculated inhales of the fresh air as he’s zippin’ along. It’s like he’s totally taking in the whole experience.

This Mr. Gray is totally living his best life. And in case you didn’t know, this is only one of his adventures. Every year he does something, like get a tattoo, etc. What’s important to note is young people do this stuff alll the time and no one pays any attention. So why is this Mr. Gray so unique? Well, my guess is that he’s been given the opportunity and encouragement to be himself. And when seniors are tucked away neatly in nursing homes and assisted livings— with occasionally trips to a shopping center for “fun”—-are we really giving them the opportunity and access to be who they are beneath the gray? I don’t think so.

In general, we certainly don’t make it easy and often discourage Mr. Gray from doing “risky” things. But maybe, that’s just what he needs.