Wednesday, January 2, 2013

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!!!!!"



Unknown

10 comments:

  1. Perhaps it's my personal way of coping but... I TRY to avoid all such musings... About how fast time flies... And about how there is so much less of it (time), before me now... And etc.

    To/for me, it is depressing.

    And there is nothing I can do about any of it, anyway.

    So I avoid such thoughts, as much as possible.

    What I do want to do is, pay attention to NOW. All aspects of NOW. Live NOW, paying ATTENTION to everything in the NOW.

    Just me.........

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  2. Good morning sweet Mary.....well I could relate to this post....looks like you and I will go into the Sunset years together.....how bad is that??? LOLOL (O:

    Stay well friend...and take care of those bones.

    xo

    Jo

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  3. I'm not in Winter mode yet, but I am in late Fall and the writing you posted was beautiful. Each season is so precious and we have to value each one even though there may be some melancholy and a bittersweetness there. Thank you for this wonderful post, Mary

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  4. Oh yes, Mary. I am there too, but thinking of the things I want to do still. I am sitting here with my foot elevated and in a cast after a reconstructive foot surgery...and that so I can travel and walk and see things! I am not done yet! I still have lessons to learn and to teach, and so do you. What a great opportunity retirement will be for you to discover what your next steps are...although retirement takes some getting used to. Live for each day, using the lessons you have learned, but not spending much time in the past...OR the future. Blessings...Beth

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  5. Good Mid-Day Mary!! :) Well, we certainly cannot do anything about the past, but looking forward, we will be able to do things in ways that we can, and then cast our bread upon the water for all the rest to work to our benefit eh? I'm one of those that pay attention to NOW too and the more I practice that the easier it becomes.
    Wishing you a day filled with brilliant energy and ease...
    Love, xoxoxo

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  6. Profound writng!
    The message has been seen and heard.

    (((hugs)))to you m/f, Pat

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  7. Well said! I too find the days whizzing by, only yesterday my son was born, I am sure of it! Soon now he will be 17. Oh time, why do you fly by? Take care of yourself, enjoy the naps and life marches on!

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  8. This is a beautiful post. I need to be reminded every once in awhile not to procrastinate things i want to do. Unfortunately, procrastination is one of my talents. I'll be 50 this coming summer. Is that my Autumn? Not sure. :) But my knees snap when i get up in the morning, hot flashes are new 'friends', and i have little (very) short term memory lapses every now and then. Why did i come in here again? lol. Anyway, thank you for posting this wise advice. I have taken it to heart!

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  9. I am deciding where I want to live, perhaps I might move into where I work when I retire.

    I am looking forward to retirement because my job is very physical and emotional.

    The physical is hard for me now, I have had to lose some hours and work only part time because of an illness.

    I still find it hard to find time to write and do the things I love Mary.

    You may find the retirement leaves you more time to do the things You love.

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  10. I am deciding where I want to live, perhaps I might move into where I work when I retire.

    I am looking forward to retirement because my job is very physical and emotional.

    The physical is hard for me now, I have had to lose some hours and work only part time because of an illness.

    I still find it hard to find time to write and do the things I love Mary.

    You may find the retirement leaves you more time to do the things You love.

    ReplyDelete