Musings for 2013--Sunrise and Sunset

The days they pass so quickly now;

Nights are seldom long.

Time around me whispers when it's cold.

Changes somehow frighten me;

Still I have to smile.

It turns me on to think of growing old.

John Denver song

My goodness, where have the holidays gone?  It feels like they were never even here.  It's already a back-to-work day, and life will return to normal.  New Year's day was cold, gray, and dreary, but my house was warm and cheerful and the food filling and yummy.  I hope each of you had a wonderful day.

On the first day of 2013 I spent the late afternoon hours as I usually do on the first of the year--contemplating my life, what is and what was. I am finding it hard to believe that in one year and 23 days, now 22 days, I will be of retirement age. I've entered the sunset of my life. When I think about it, emotionally I am not ready to let go of my working life, but physically my body makes me wonder if I even can make that year I have left.  Walking is becoming more and more difficult.  Now, it is not only my back, but my hips and knees have also been giving out on me, something the doctor warned me of a long time ago, but I was young then, invincible. Not me, that will never happen to me. How does one reconcile the desire to continue with life 'as is' with their chronological age?

And yet, it seems like only yesterday that I was in the prime of my youth, the sunrise of my life, and and time on my side. I had my entire life stretching out before me. Oh, I was so full of such glorious dreams and hopes for the future, yet many of them, such as becoming a lawyer or a psychiatrist, were pipe dreams and never meant to be. They were not a part of my life plan. I am not complaining, though, for my I am aware that my life took the journey  that was meant to take, and, although not always a happy life, it was the course that I had chosen to follow if I was ever to feel fulfilled. And in these later years, my counseling career has provided me with so much satisfaction. It was what I was meant to do. 

And with that, I wanted to share the following with you.  It says it all so much better than I can.

"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, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. And 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 glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams... But, here it is..the winter 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 winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like... But, here it is...my husband is retired and getting gray...he moves slower and I see an older person now. He is in better shape than me... but, I see the great change... Not like the one that I remember who was young and vibrant... but, like me, his age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be.

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! Cause if I don't on my own free will..I just fall asleep where I sit! '-)

And so, now I enter into 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.... but never did!!

But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last...this I know, that when it's over...its over....Yes , I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done ,,,,,things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things ...I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime....

So, if you're not in your winter 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. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not!

You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life...so, live for good 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 to you". The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after.
Make it a fantastic one.'

BE HAPPY!!!----Always do what is right, regardless of the cost. It always costs...but do right anyway. There is an eternal life after this one. Be prepared for it. AND BE THANKFUL!!!!!"

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