I read somewhere that people my age don’t like to be called “senior citizens.” I’m not particularly opposed to the designation. It seems to be more desirable than “old folks.” Most of my peers are the oldest generation in our families, though I know a few hearty individuals of my parents’ generation who are still going strong in their 90’s. Were they still living both of my parents would be over 100. After all, I’m 70, so at leas in our family I’m about as senior as we have. In the church, the traditional term is “elder.” That designation is also used in some tribal communities. In both the term is generally more than a connotation of age. It is conferred to one who has accumulated a certain amount of wisdom, who can be trusted to be truthful with tradition and story, and to whom others turn for advice. I wouldn’t mind being called an elder, though it is not a title I can self claim. In the article I read, the authors noted several “Senior Citizen’s Centers” that had been renamed “Community Centers.” I don’t know what is in the name, but I do admit that I have not belt drawn to explore either. My main source of community is where it has been all of my life: the church. I do admit, though, that I have a lot of church friends who are around the same age that I am.

Actually, one of the things I seek is intergenerational community. I like the church in part because of the young adults and children who are part of the community. I enjoy activities in which people of all ages can participate. I don’t think I will find such events and activities in adult communities, or senior’s only community centers.

I do, however, appreciate senior discounts and senior rates. Although some streak of stubbornness has kept me from joining AARP, there are plenty of other special rates available to me with which I have no problem.

The campground where we are staying has regular rates and senior rates. The latter price is 30% less than the former and we paid the discounted rate even though we are 2 70-somethings with three pre-teen children. We have more children than some of the middle-aged campers in the campground, who, I assume, are paying full price.

In addition, I cary a National Parks and Fedral National Lands Senior pass that allows us to park for free and use day use areas without charge in all National Forests. It gives us reduced fees at National Parks and National Monuments, too. It doesn’t bother me a bit to use that pass.

When I was a sheriff’s chaplain, I was a bit nervous about law enforcement discounts. I usually refused them and paid full price, feeling that there was an ethical problem with public servants accepting gratuities. A gift could influence the fairness of law enforcement, though I doubt that any officers I know would knowingly give preferential treatment. I was always very careful to follow all traffic rules when I was serving as a chaplain, knowing that every deputy I knew would find great delight in writing me a ticket and then teasing me about it afterward. They never got the chancer.

At this stage of my life I’ve got no problem with senior discounts, however. I’ve been around for 70 years. I’ve paid my dues. I try to respond by being a good citizen. I leave every campsite a bit cleaner than I found it. I park carefully and use public lands in ways that leaves little impact. I teach values of care and conservation to our grandchildren.

And, for now, I don’t seem to be in danger of having too much money anytime soon, so I’ll take the discounts when they are offered.