We all age at different times, at different speeds. We have no idea when our last breath may be. We do not know what that “experience” will be. As we look among our friends, we realize there are those who are “youngsters”, who are “active”, and those “with grey” who may likely be in the last quarter of their life.
Irrespective of our “position”, what has been written below is both interesting and advisable as we continue to age.
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. And I have many more to live, as long ad God wants me too!
I have glimpses of how it was “back then” and of all my hopes and dreams.
However, there are many who may say: “Here it is … the last quarter of my life.” Is it? Will it catch you by surprise?
Will you ask yourself: How did I get here so fast?
Will you wonder: Where did the years go and where did my youth go?
Surely we each remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me. We will perceive ourselves as young and energetic. We will think just how active we may have been, in the first quarter and that the fourth quarter was so far off. Indeed, there are many times we were unable to visualize it. Nor were we able to imagine fully what it would be like.
Yet, here it is … a number of our friends may have retired. The greys are showing. They move slower. Some are in better and some worse shape than us. Yet the change is unmistakable. They’re not like the ones remembered who were young and vibrant. We remember well their athleticism, their moves on the dance floor, the way they could and would lift just about anything in helping others to get the job done. But as their age shows, we recognize we are now those “older folks” that we used to see and never thought we’d become.
Each day now, many in our age group find showering to be a real target for the day. Slowly, inevitably, we do not see taking a nap as not a treat anymore. It’s mandatory because if not done of our own free will, we will fall asleep where we sit. And doing that in the middle of a Zoom call is just not cool.
Indeed, many of us are slowly entering the new season of our lives. Is this the Summer, the late Summer, the early Fall, or the Fall? Only God knows that.
Indeed, many are unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things we wish we had done but never did. Yet we know that, regardless of the season of our lives in which we are living, when it’s over on this earth, it’s over. YES! A new adventure will begin! And each of us should be looking forward this!
Yes, we all have regrets. There are things we wish we had not done; things we should have done. Yet truly there are many things we have achieved we are happy to have done or been a part of.
It’s all in a lifetime.
So, if you’re not on the last quarter yet, may I remind you that it will be here faster than you think. Whatever you would like to accomplish in your life, do it quickly. But at the same time, do it with th Grace of God and with the skills given to you by God.
Do not put things off too long. Life goes by so quickly.
Do what you can today! Focus on your goals both near and far. Remember that you can never be sure just what the “last quarter” of your life you may be in.
You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of life. Live for today as much as you seek the future. Remember to say all the things 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 each day!
Remember, your health is the real wealth in your life. Your crypto, your dollars, nor your pieces of gold and silver are useless in the eyes of God.
You may think: Going out is good. But coming home can be 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.
Sure you sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV on than in bed – you call it ‘pre-sleep’!
Sure you miss the days when everything worked with just an ‘On’ and ‘Off’ switch!
Sure you tend to use more 4 letter words – ‘what’ and ‘when’
Of course, you have lots of clothes in your wardrobe, more than half of which you will never wear – but just in case!
Let’s take a moment to reflect on my (in)famous statement:
“You can grow old like stale bread or age like fine wine (or scotch).”
“Old” is relative to what we are speaking about. Indeed, we can love old songs, old movies, and – best of all – our old friends.
But when we see our “life” as “old”, we diminish and marginalize our lives. Indeed, “The worst feeling isn’t being lonely, it is being forgotten.”
Thus, continue LIFE! Continue activity! Indeed, LIVE!
• Old is comfortable
• Old is safe
• Old songs
• Old movies
• …… and best of all,
• Friends of old!
So, stay well, ‘Old friend!’ Have a fantastic day!
Have an awesome quarter – whichever one you’re in! Take care!
Feel free to share with with “old friends”. But remind them they are aging. They are continuing their life! Let them know their smile they share with others give those many others a happiness to the day they are living as well.
Marc C. Kollar's Blog 