“How old would you be if you didn’t know when you
were born?” -Warren Miller
Posted on 01/19/2019 1:18:33 PM PST by sodpoodle
I can hit the golf ball any way I can and laugh if it goes in the lake. That's the breaks. I'm just happy I can still hit that golf ball.
As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world, too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it, if I choose to read, or play, on the computer, until 4 AM, or sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50, 60 & 70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will.
I will walk the beach, in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves, with abandon, if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And, I eventually remember the important things.
Sure, over the years, my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break, when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet passes? But, broken hearts are what give us strength, and understanding, and compassion. A heart never broken, is pristine, and sterile, and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.
So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.
As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.
So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).
I feel for those alone
My new boss is in a giant house alone. Well 5 cats and a dog but no woman
Can’t imagine life without my dear wife
This is a decade year for me.
Last night I was watching “Golden Girls” with my wife (a favorite to fall asleep to). I realized they were in their 50s when the show started.
My reaction: “GOLDEN Girls??? They should have called it MIDDLE AGED Girls!”
My friend said it best: everyone else gets old. We don’t.
The fact we hear music on the radio from 35-40 years ago and it is considered contemporary seems to help with the “suspended in time” feeling.
I am a senior alone. All my family members ... and my brother... died by there time I was 30.
It’s hard.
Hi.
Come to Jesus and you won’t be alone.
Come to FR and take your chances.
Amen.
5.56mm
Bunny slippers I am caring for a VERY elderly parent at this time when she passes I will also be a senior alone AND it is difficult now so I know just how you feel.. I regret now not having children however my career had me working at least 16 hours a day weekends included!!!
You are NOT alone, FReepers are right here with you.
t.
Some wonderful thoughts, thank you for passing them along.
“I’m not a ‘senior citizen’, I’m old!” - Mom
Being a care giver is very hard. My mom died this summer
after living with me for the last six months. Her dementia
just got worse and worse. My sister and a younger brother
are still alive however my sister is not well and I worry
about her depression. She has a daughter and my brother
has a son but I couldn’t have kids and ended up losing
someone I really cared about. Now It’s just me and my dog.
Still, it’s grey and rainy and is a beautiful day.
t.
“How old would you be if you didn’t know when you
were born?” -Warren Miller
Through tragedy and betrayals, I’m entering the seasoned part of life with only Christ to lean on.
Certainly, the adventure of life has provided views from the mountaintop as well as the deepest valleys...but it has strengthened my faith in Him.
To TGKC and others alone, please know we are never alone when Christ is with us.
God Bless to fellow seasoned freepers feeling alone these daze...
Having children nowadays is no guarantee that they will care for you in old age. Today’s generation is more likely to worry about what they can grab and some even plan to have their parents done in to cash in.
I don’t know where you live, Bunny Slippers, but you are facing what we all either have or will face. All my kids and his kids are not in PA. MS, TX, MD and NJ claim our kids because they could find jobs there. I am a widow in a tiny 200 person town and I don’t know them and they don’t know me. We have very few interests in common and really don’t have much to talk about as many of these people are Democrats and all related to each other. I am an interloper.
I tried the “old folks gathering”, the local churches (I am a Buddhist)...no churches within 100 miles of me and I can’t drive all the time due to my MS and RA (besides the gas has been far too expensive. My own family is in CA and OR...far, very far.)
But being an introvert, I find this just fine. I do miss my kids and I am really fortunate to have found a compatible partner who like to work with machines and old trucks so he is happily occupied. I am painting with an eye to selling them. Perhaps I will or won’t...they may be bonfire fodder. Oh, well...I won’t know or care as my energy will have rejoined the interstellar spaces...or be somewhere.
I won’t be here to find out. But I found him, my buddy and friend, on O.K. Cupid. What a case of serendipity!!
When we’re kids, we can’t wait to grow-up. When we’re grown-up and getting older, we just hope time will slow down.
I'm 75...fortunate to have engaging hobbies and very good health. I try to get out every day to be part of the world.
Having children nowadays is no guarantee that they will care for you in old age.
_______________________________
How right you are. After my mother suffered a massive stroke I visited her weekly in her care facility, which housed about 100 seniors. With the exception of Easter, Christmas, etc. I rarely saw children visit their parents. And the manager told me 75 percent of residents’ children lived well within 100 miles of the facility.
I suppose it depends on the person. Having spent a lot of my life trying to get away from clingy, demanding, nagging, whining people, the invisibility of old age is a delight to me! As a woman, I can travel freely on my own and no one even looks my way. My money is my own, my decisions are my own and I am beholden to no one...except one being...
I remember from whom blessings flow and stay active in my church and try to live for Him. He took my husband young, but I don't hold that against Him. He's given me all I need and I intend to enjoy it to the utmost.
Never had kids...and I won't kid myself. If I become unable to care for myself, I'll sell everything and check myself in to an old folks home where I can listen to everyone complain about their no-good, ungrateful kids who put them in an old folks home! All I really need is a warm bed, a simple meal and a good book. Happiness is a choice.
Wow, there really are a lot of us. I keep thinking there should be a solution.
Every time I move, I notice that there is a senior center .... yet none of them seem to have any “meetings” or gatherings whee people can get together and see if they have anything in common.
How hard could it be to do something like that unless no one shows up!
So am I. I'm also sometimes forgetful.
Hey!
You’re in LA and I’m in San Diego!
I have to make a quick trip to Mississippi this week (leaving tonight) but after I return next Saturday, maybe we can make plans to met half way for lunch?
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