40 Years Old And Just Getting Started!

40 Years Old And Just Getting Started!

I reached a major milestone recently. I turned the Big 4-0. Yep, that’s right. I’m officially “over the hill.” I’m on the downward spiral.

No way. I refuse to believe that life is over at 40. In fact, life is just beginning. Plus, no matter my age, I will always be young at heart. I will always have fun.

Why? I have been blessed with a fantastic family, loyal friends, good health and my dream job. If I can’t be happy with the cards I’ve been dealt, then I only have myself to blame.

40 years is a lot of living – a lot of life lessons, a lot of mistakes, but a lot of growth and development in turning those failures into success.

So, hot off my mind, here is my middle-age progress report. Let’s call it, “Important lessons I’ve learned in my first 40 years of life.”

My earliest lessons came from my parents. They always taught my sister and me to believe in our faith, be kind to one another, share our toys and respect everyone, especially our parents, grandparents and elders. My wife and I are now teaching our daughter these values and the importance of family… even if they drive you nuts sometimes! I’m talking “pull my hair out nuts!”

In grade school, I learned not to let bullies get the best of me. And, despite how delicious it may appear, don’t eat glue. And, don’t eat glue’s cousin, paste, which is also not delicious.

In high school, I learned that when a relationship ends – even if you think every girl you “love” is your soulmate – that there are more fish in the sea. Adult translation: you’ll meet the person you’re supposed to be with when the time is right.

My college years taught me the most – mostly because I left the comforts of my parents’ home for the first time and went six hours and one state away from small-town Jeannette, Pennsylvania to snowy Syracuse, New York.

I learned independence at Syracuse and how much I loved it! I grew up, I learned how to make decisions on my own and I learned about a career in Broadcast Journalism – which I later learned wasn’t the career for me.

But, Broadcast Journalism led me to Evansville – which led me to meeting my wife and to landing my dream job in St. Mary’s Health Foundation.

St. Mary’s Health Foundation, along with incredible friends and mentors, taught me about the “Power of Philanthropy” and its impactful and life-changing results – results that simply would not be possible without your generous support of our Mission.

So, I thank you for teaching me the significance of giving back and to helping those in need. It’s a transformational lesson that I hope to instill in many others during my next 40 years.

Because, baby, I’m just getting started!
Thank you for Supporting our Healing Ministry! Blessings,

Rick Peltier
“Over the Hill” Director, St. Mary’s Health Foundation (812) 485-4412 | richard.peltier@stmarys.org