It is my experience and observation that the "family unit" is a powerful and an indispensable element to a true cohesive and progressive family. A balance in the home is imperative for healthy, progressive and passionate children as they move toward their youth life-phase. This balance is their window to their future as self-expectations, personal values, principles and endurance are sound.
Moving ahead by decades, I now live life as an elder and have a daily awareness that my role in the family unit and community has greatly shifted.
For those who are newbies to the world of seniors, I trust the material following will sound familiar ...... enjoy.
As you experience, the concept of time has a way of moving quickly and have passed in a state of a lack of an awareness of this timely element of life. It seems just yesterday I was young, just married and embarking on my path towards a young adult fully participating in many aspects of life. I am now aware that this aging process has been taking place for eons, and I am at a loss to understand where and how time has found me at my present station. I know and left without the complete picture of the many lives i have lived in this period of time - between marriage and being an independent, self-sufficient, life-participating elder.
But, here it is.... as a young productive adult is now in the past...I ask, .how did I get here so fast? I well remember seeing the years pass and thinking that those older people were so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what and where time has gone.
My friends are retired and getting slower and I see them as older person now. Some are in worse shape than I....and now see the great changes in those who I remember being vibrant and eager, passionate individuals. They now "show their age" and we are now those older folk that we saw and never thought we would become. At present even the process of having a shower is a real target for the commencement of the day. It has no longer become a treat....it is just another mandatory and physically demanding action.
And so....now I enter into this new season of my life with the aches and pains and the loss of strength. I do acknowledge that when life is over on this earth, adventure will mark yet a new beginning!! Here's hoping I have it right !!...if nothing else, the thought of this transpiring instills a refreshing hope.
Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I should have done, but indeed, there are many that have been done and all in a "lifetime".
So, if you're not on the "back nine" of life yet....let me stress that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you have not accomplished in your life please do it quickly!!! as life goes by quickly. So, do what you can and never be sure whether you are on the" back nine" and I promise that you will see all the seasons of your life.
Do your best and by doing so you will leave life with a legacy....one in which the future family unit will embrace and in fact add to their identity.
Personally, I have been left with a unique identity as I am a Grandchild of a family member whose Father was a first cousin to Florence Nightingale. More recent family members have been added to my list of heroes and persons of remarkable traits and accomplishments.
Live your last years in a manner that gives way to a personal history with a description of being (among others), spirited, strong, determined, and valued. Your recognition of strong identity building will provide you a legacy for those who will choose to recognize as a role model. One does not have to be a world leader from which you strive to emulate, as an Aunt, Sister etc., can very commonly be of a characteristic profile who you had/have a sense of connection and are very worthy of your assigning them a legacy.
"Life" is a gift to 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 SILVER.
LASTLY, CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:
- going out is good....coming home is better
- you forget names...but it's OK because others forget they even knew you !!!
- the things you used to care to do, you no longer really do care that you don't care to do that
which you planned
- you sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV --- there, you "pre-sleep"
- you tend to use more four letter words....what, when, etc.
- now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it resting place could be anywhere
- what used to be freckles are not liver spots
- everyone whispers
- you have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet
- but old is good in some things: Old Songs, of all, old family
It is not what you gather, but what you scatter of life you have lived
TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU'VE EVER BEEN AND YOUNGEST YOU WILL EVER BE, SO ENJOY THE LASTS.
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