In the game of life, Ed's a winner.

My gosh. My 90-year-old friend and neighbor Ed Hinrichs looks like he just got beat up. He's got a black eye and body bruises. Turns out that Ed fell. Obviously hurt himself. When his caretakers weren't around. Yes, it's dangerous for Ed to be alone. Most of the time somebody is with him. But all it takes is a few seconds. For an accident to happen. Ed so much wants to get around. To do things for himself. To be reasonably independent. But the physical rigors of age keep catching up with Ed. So he's thinking of leaving the neighborhood and longtime home on Forest Lake and moving into the Veterans Home in Minneapolis. Probably this autumn. Sort of sad that Ed won't be my neighbor anymore. But hey, I ain't gonna lament about it. After all, Ed's lasted nine decades. And he's really made the best of it. And maybe he even has a chance of reaching 100. Not sure that Ed absolutely wants to. Ed still takes life one day at a time. And he's not scared about moving. A change of scenery. That's something telling about Ed. He's a brave man. Always ready for a new adventure. Yes, looks a might beat up after that fall. But never count him out. In the game of life, Ed's a winner. --Jim Broede