This is one of the nicest and most gentle articles I’ve read in a while: no politics, no religion and no racial issues: just food for thought.
You know … time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years.
It seems just yesterday that I was young and embarking on my new life. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went.
I know that I lived them all.
I have glimpses of how it was back then, and of all my hopes and dreams.
However, here it is: the last quarter of my life (give or take) and it catches me by surprise.
How did I get here so fast?
Where did the years go?
I remember well, seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me. I thought that I was only on the first quarter and that the fourth quarter was so far off that I could not visualize it or imagine fully what it would be like.
Yet, here it is. My friends are retired and getting grey. They move slower, and where I once saw youth, I see an older person now. Some are in better (and some worse) shape than me, but I see the great change. They’re not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant …but like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd become.
It's almost like having double vision. I look at old friends, and my mind superimposes their youthful visages on the faces I see now. Strange that I can see both at once ... but I know I'm not the only one who sees it that way.
Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day, and taking a nap is not a treat anymore. It's mandatory. Because if I don't, of my own free will, I fall asleep where I sit.
Yet, here it is. My friends are retired and getting grey. They move slower, and where I once saw youth, I see an older person now. Some are in better (and some worse) shape than me, but I see the great change. They’re not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant …but like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd become.
It's almost like having double vision. I look at old friends, and my mind superimposes their youthful visages on the faces I see now. Strange that I can see both at once ... but I know I'm not the only one who sees it that way.
Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day, and taking a nap is not a treat anymore. It's mandatory. Because if I don't, of my own free will, I fall asleep where I sit.
And so, now I've entered into this new season of my life ... initially unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done, but never did. But at least I know that, though I’m on the last quarter and I'm not sure how long it will last, that when it's over on this earth, it's over. A new adventure will begin!
Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done; things I should have done; but truly there are many things I'm happy to have done.
It's all in a lifetime.
So, if you're not on the last quarter yet, let me remind you that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life, do it soon.
Don't put things off too long. Life goes by so quickly.
So do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether you're on the last quarter or not. You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of life. So, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember - and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the past years.
Life is a gift to you. Be Happy! Have a great day!
Remember, it is health that is real wealth, and not pieces of gold and silver.
Going out is good - but coming home is better!
You forget names - but it's okay because some people forgot they even knew you!
You realize you're never going to be really good at anything like golf - but you like the outdoors!
The things you used to care to do, you aren't as interested in anymore - but you really don't care that you aren't as interested.
You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV on than in bed – some call it ‘pre-sleep’!
You miss the days when everything worked with just an ‘On’ and ‘Off’ switch!
You tend to use more 4 letter words, like ‘what?’ and ‘when?’
Yet, old is good:
• Old is comfortable
• Old is safe
• Old songs are great
• Old movies are great, too
• And best of all, there are friends of old!
Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done; things I should have done; but truly there are many things I'm happy to have done.
It's all in a lifetime.
So, if you're not on the last quarter yet, let me remind you that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life, do it soon.
Don't put things off too long. Life goes by so quickly.
So do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether you're on the last quarter or not. You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of life. So, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember - and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the past years.
Life is a gift to you. Be Happy! Have a great day!
Remember, it is health that is real wealth, and not pieces of gold and silver.
Going out is good - but coming home is better!
You forget names - but it's okay because some people forgot they even knew you!
You realize you're never going to be really good at anything like golf - but you like the outdoors!
The things you used to care to do, you aren't as interested in anymore - but you really don't care that you aren't as interested.
You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV on than in bed – some call it ‘pre-sleep’!
You miss the days when everything worked with just an ‘On’ and ‘Off’ switch!
You tend to use more 4 letter words, like ‘what?’ and ‘when?’
Yet, old is good:
• Old is comfortable
• Old is safe
• Old songs are great
• Old movies are great, too
• And best of all, there are friends of old!
So, stay well, my friends. Whatever your age, enjoy the NOW. Tomorrow will take care of itself.
And have a fantastic day!
6 comments:
I am so much of this. Thank you, Reverend.
God bless you all.
You know you're old when your back goes out more than you do!
You know, I was once an avid mountain biker. I remember thinking as I was working a really technical, "What will it be like when I can no longer ride this trail, but can only look at it from a distance?" Now I know. I look at that trail and have no desire to ride it. Face it; my warranty is up and they don't make parts for me anymore. That being said, I can still remember the rides. I can see every curve, every jump, and even the cactus patch I landed in when I zigged where I should have zagged. The important thing is that I did the ride...
God bless, Reverend!
I hear you, Linda. Hits pretty close to home, doesn't it? Darn it.
Peteforester, I totally understand. I was a hiker, backpacker, and white-water canoeist. I still want to do those things, but have to face facts: I can't and shouldn't. I'm not interested in the parts replacement, either.
Very good 'lesson' for all of us. And oh so true. Our health IS the best thing we have at our age. We are 'paying' for all the fun we had in those first two quarters...LOL And I was never 'that' good at golf. Sigh...
"We are 'paying' for all the fun we had in those first two quarters."
Boy, howdy!
Beautiful piece, Reverend. I call it "Life, In Four Acts"....Encores are NOT allowed.
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