By Pattie Mihalik

My buddy Lenny often takes the time to send me interesting email.

The last thing he sent is so worthy of sharing. It’s a song and short video called “Don’t Let the Old Man In.”

According to the video made by Lone Wolf Media and country singer Toby Keith, the legendary Clint Eastwood was the inspiration for that song.

When Eastwood was golfing with Toby Keith, the actor mentioned he was going to turn 88 on Monday.

“What are you going to do then?” asked Keith.

Eastwood said he was going to make a movie on Monday and film all week.

“What keeps you going?” queried Keith.

“I get up every morning and don’t let the old man in,” answered Clint.

That answer was the inspiration for a softly mesmerizing song Keith wrote, calling it “Don’t Let the Old Man In.”

The video is only a few minutes, but it is so worth watching that I keep it posted on my desktop so I can play it periodically.

It’s the kind of song that gets in your head and stays there once you hear it.

If you want to hear it for yourself, it’s on YouTube. You can also Google it.

Toby Keith struck gold years ago when he recorded “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.” The most played country song of the 1990s, it’s still a country standard.

“Don’t Let the Old Man In” should be just as big.

Clint Eastwood’s movie “The Mule” is also destined to be a classic. It’s serious, yet uplifting. And the acting, of course, is pure Eastwood gold.

Not bad for an 88-year-old guy.

I’ve been thinking a lot about age lately after someone made a mean crack about “old people” that I won’t honor by repeating. She’s 69, but talks like she’s never going to get old.

I want to reach advanced age but I don’t want to get old.

There’s a difference. It’s that difference that Eastwood was referring to.

I believe it’s a gift to age. Too many die all too soon, cut off way before their time.

And too many act truly old when they are still young. It’s all about making the most of each day of life.

The lucky ones are those who are given the gift of advanced age without letting the old man in.

That being said, I understand why there’s an old saying that states: Old age is not for sissies.

Little by little, we do lose a bit as we age.

I judged a talent contest last where one of the winners was an 85-year-old comedian. He started off his routine talking about a guy who goes to the doctor’s with a litany of complaints.

“I get tired much more easily than I ever did and I can’t do nearly as much. I’m starting to get pain that I never had, too. What do you think is wrong with me?” the fellow asked his doctor.

According to the comedian, the doctor diagnosed those problems in two words: “You’re old!”

The audience laughed at the joke because they “got it.” They understood as we age we do lose some of which we could do before.

But there are also a lot of things we gain as we age.

For one thing, as we go through life we gain compassion. Our experiences help us feel empathy for what others are going through.

We also gain more tolerance. When I was much younger I saw everything in terms of black or white. Now that I’m older I realize few things are that absolute.

It’s also true that we get much smarter as we get older.

Why else would we say, “too soon old, too late smart?”

Frankly, when I look back at all the dumb things I did when I was younger I wonder how I ever lived this long without messing up big time.

Now, in most cases I think before I act. Then I think some more, deciding on the most prudent course of action. Prudent isn’t something we strive for in our younger years.

I believe it’s also true that age teaches us what’s important and what’s not.

We’ve all heard the old expression, “Don’t sweat the small stuff — and it’s all small stuff.”

We stop wanting so many things because we learn possessions don’t mean that much. On the other hand, we realize family is our most important treasure.

As I grow older, my capacity to love keeps expanding and my gratitude for life also keeps growing with the years.

According to survey after survey, people claim their happiest time of life is when they are over 65.

Sure, retirement brings so many rewards, including the gift of more time for us.

But it’s more than that, according to those same surveys. One important conclusion: The depth of one’s gratitude contributes greatly to their sense of well-being and their happiness.

Well, what about times when we’re struggling with hard times? Then it’s time to hone in on what you do have, instead of what you don’t have.

Some of the words in “Don’t Let the Old Man In” have other suggestions”

“Love on your wife.

“Stay close to your friends.

“Look out your window and smile,

“Don’t let the old man in.”

Whatever you do, don’t let the old man in.

Contact Pattie Mihalik at newsgirl@comcast.net.