Each of us lives a different life, and each of us at some point realizes that we are inevitably aging. It is a natural part of our human life cycle. The interesting part is how we perceive getting older and more importantly, how we deal with it. Some of us approach aging philosophically or with humor, others are surprised, angry, or disappointed. To the unknown writer of The Journey, it is a sudden predicament with all its physical and mental changes and challenges. In what can be a difficult period in our lives, it reminds us that humor can be effectively used to accept the unacceptable. It also expresses a strong sense of carpe diem, or as the Roman poet Horace might translate it: “pluck the day, trusting as little as possible in the next one”.
Our thanks to Eileen Ansill for finding this essay and forwarding it to us.
| THE JOURNEY
AND SOON IT WILL BE WINTER. 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. But here it is, the back nine of my life and it catches me by surprise. How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go? I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that I was only on the first hole and the back nine was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like. But here it is. My friends are retired and getting gray. They move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better, and some are in worse shape than I, but I see the great change. 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. Each day now, I find that just taking 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 may just fall asleep where I sit! And so, now I enter this new season of my life 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 and never did! But at least I know that I’m on the back nine, and I’m not sure how long it will last – 2 or 3, or 15 or 20 years? This I do know, that when it’s over on this earth, it’s over and we can look forward to the next adventure. Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn’t done, things I should have done, but there are many things I’m happy to have done. It’s all in a lifetime. If you’re not on the back nine yet, let me remind you that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life, please do it quickly! Don’t put things off too long!! Life goes by quickly. Do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether you’re on the back nine or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your 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 years past! “Life” is a gift. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after you. Make it a fantastic one. LIVE IT WELL! ENJOY TODAY! DO SOMETHING FUN! BE HAPPY! HAVE A GREAT DAY. Remember “It is health that is real wealth and not those pieces of gold and silver.” LIVE HAPPILY IN 2021! FINALLY, CONSIDER THIS: ~Your kids are becoming you, but your grandchildren are perfect – so far! ~Going out is good, coming home is better! ~You forget names, but it’s OK because some people forgot they even knew you!!! ~You realize you’re never going to be really good at anything like golf. ~The things you used to like to do, you are not as interested in anymore, but you really do care that you aren’t as interested. ~You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV ‘ON’ than in bed. It’s called “pre-sleep.” ~You miss the days when everything worked with just an “ON” and “OFF” switch. ~You tend to use more 4 letter words: “what?”, “when?”…? ~You notice everything they sell in stores is “sleeveless”! ~What used to be freckles are now liver spots. ~Everybody whispers!!! You have come to expect that people will repeat what they just said to you. ~You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet, 2 of which you will never wear again. But OLD is good in some things: Old Songs, Old movies, and best of all, OLD FRIENDS!! Stay well, “OLD FRIEND!” Send this on to other “Old Friends!” and let them laugh in agreement!!! Remember it’s not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived. Today is the oldest you’ve ever been, yet the youngest you’ll ever be again, so enjoy this day while it lasts. God Bless you, my friend, and I am proud to call you, “My Friend”! |
Loved this…GREAT post!
There is much wisdom and truth in your post….. And some much needed healthy chuckles! Thank you, my friend…. Glad you are on the back nine with me. Great post.
Superb post…definitely a keeper…especially “The Journey”.