Aging

[Barney]

Old Age

I am now probably for the first time in my life the person I have always wanted to be . Oh, not my body! I sometimes despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes. And often I am taken aback by the old person that lives in my mirror, but I don't agonize over those things for long. I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my beautiful loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own bestfriend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy from time to time.

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 4am and sleep until noon? I will dance by myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50's, 60's & 70's and if I, at same time wish to weep over a lost love, I will!

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 someone loses a beloved pet. 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 had anything to laugh about, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, is 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. I like being older. 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.

I will simply enjoy life and all it brings.:)

[Lt.Mac]

Ain't that the truth, honey- you said it all

[Sam]

Except for the grey or silver hair...;) I'm at that very point.:)

[bryant.wanda]

Nice try Cocoknight:rolleyes:

Wanda:D

[pukkie]

Dear Barny
Every age has his charmes
Enjoy the days,be Happy.
You describe your life wonderful.

[Littledevil]

I wanted to tell you that I agree with you. I want to enjoy life no matter what. Aging does provide wisdom at least for most of us. :). Granted I am only going to be thirty and that is not nearly old. I hope I feel this young when I have silver in my hair even if I don't look it. I like your positive outlook on getting older. I have an 18 year old niece who recently told me I was old. She is only 12 years younger than me. My reply to her was "I may be turning 30 but you haven't really lived yet". I find it amusing that so many kids and teenagers think they have life figured out. Yet they really don't have a clue. I know I thought I had things figured out when I was her age, but I didn't know sh*t. There are still things I don't really know, but I am working on it.
I am trying different things all the time and hope I can leave this world someday knowing I lived with no regrets.

[RealistRomeo]

True words spoken by the OP, i wish i was as confident as i am now, back when i was 20, spent too much time trying to be perfect and not rock the boat.

Live life the way you want to and don't frett over things you cannot change or alter.....just go with the flow.

[appeace]

What a beautiful and uplifting piece! When my kiddos tease me about age I simply smile knowingly and say,"Yes, and God willing, youll get here too!:p"

[JustBecause]

Hear, hear! :)

[Sam]

:eek: Wanda I really don't have grey hair yet. My bald spot is covering it!!!:D
Littledevil you are the same age as my daughter which makes me 20 years older than you. Don't worry though. Your memory might fade some and your body might let you down. But you'll gain even more wisdom. The person you are inside will be the same and you will keep your youthfull spirit....That is if you're anything like me.:p

[Littledevil]

Well Since my last post on this topic things have changed for me a bit. I have had a very emotional last two and a half weeks. So I will try to keep it short and not drag this out, but here goes.

Backstory info: My husband makes videos of motocross racers, he is also taking an antibiotic for a type of prostate infection (like a bladder infection). The medication said don't take with milk. My parents also own property on the suwannee river, which is where my mother would be this past weekand.

Two days before my husband and toddler and I left for a business trip I had a dream that we were hicking and my husband was carrying our child and slipped. I was there holding onto him (husband) while he was holding onto the side of a cliff. I woke up that morning not wanting to go on this trip. My husband and I argured over us going with him and in the end I went anyway. Before we left the state we had to get a tire changed on our travel trailer so we wouldn't have a blow out. We finally make it to our destination to do some hiking before we had to be at the race track for business. We will out in the middle of nowhere in Ponca Arkansas. My husband wanted to go see this 200 foot Waterfall. My husband informs me that it is a 2.5mile hike to the waterfall (keep in mind it is 2.5mi out too) with a 1500 foot elevation change. The internet listed it as a moderate hike. We started on the hike at 9:30am, I had brought 4 bottles of water with us (teo for each of us). I had fluid for our son and I brought snacks for us when we got to the falls. I carried my son in on a hiking backpack, My hubby was to carry him out. We made it down fine and cooled off and had a little fun. On the way out was another story. We had barely gotten a half mile when he said he didn't think he would be able to make it. He was sweating profusely and was very tired and out of breath. I tried to urge him on and got him to almost a half way point when he said he could go no further. I had been insisting on carrying out son the rest of the way and finally he agreed. I tried to get him to drink more water because I could tell he was getting dehydrated. I gave him most of the water I had left. He told me to keep going and he would follow, so I did. We would call back to each other to make sure he was still doing ok. about 1.5mi back he puked up all the water he had drank and his legs cramped up. He could barely walk 10 feet before having to sit down. He stopped calling back to me but I still had to keep going. I knew I needed to get him help! I was scared and alone with my child in the middle of the woods! Every time I stopped to catch my breath, my son would cry histarically, as if he knew something was really wrong. His cries urged me to keep going (Maternal strength definatly kicked in). I finally made it to the top and tried to get into our vehicle, but the hide a key for it was missing. No key was in the box. I remembered I had brought my cell phone and luckily had a signal. I dialed 911 to get help! 4 horses, 1 dog, two police officers, 1 park ranger, and two paramedics went in looking for him. He made it out fine on horseback and they had given him fluid. I was very thankful! This was the start of our trip. We had a couple other bumps along the way, but nothing more than usual stuff that happens on trips. The next two weeks go fine up until we were scheduled to go home.

My husband finds out there is another event going on in Tennessee the week after we would be home. He decides he will stay and work this event and have friends take me and our son home. Our friends and I leave this past Saturday afternoon. We stop for the night and will drive the rest of the way on Sunday. I spoke to my mother Sunday evening letting her know when I would be home and that my son and I were fine. This was at 6:30pm. Not even 5mins later one of the tires on the Motohome lost tread and took out a gastank of a car that was behind us and someone elses front fender. No one was hurt. We had to wait for the police to do their thing and then could leave. This was now two hours later and 8 miles down the road the tire actually blew out. I didn't call my mother back right away because I didn't want to worry her and figured I would be home a bit later. At 10:30 as I picked up my phone it rang and I knew who it would be (Mom). I told her the situation and she came and got my son and me since she was only 45mins away from Gainesville. She would have my dad come up the next day and bring me home, since we couldn't fit 3 dogs, my mom, myself, grandmother, my son, and all our stuff in one car.

Monday afternoon my Dad finally makes it to the property and we get loaded up and head on our way. He seems perfectly fine when he got there. However when we get into the car he seems to be having a problem focusing and is dizzy. He tells me he wants me to drive. We switch positions. No sooner had I put the car in drive I look at my father he clutched his left arm and went into a seizure. Trying not to panic, I ran around to the passenger side of the car. I am calling his name, and he is not breathing. I open his airway and get one breath in him before his mouth clamped shut. I then start compressions, calling and then screaming for my mother who is a nurse. I watched him go pale, purple and then blue before my eyes. I thought he was going to die right there. He relaxed and then started breathing but it was labored by the time my mother reached the car. We were at the end of the driveway (this is on two acres) She has me pull him out of the car and she checks his pulse and tells me to dial 911. I thought it was a Heart attack or stroke at first. He is fine now, it took some time for him to come around and he is being monitored at our local hospital back home to see what they can find out of the cause.

Sorry this was a bit lenghty, but I needed to give you the info to put in perspective. Needless to say, I don't know how many people can say they have had to dial 911 in a two week period. These last two weeks have changed me. I have always believed things happen for a reason and sometimes you never really know why. Life is two precious to throw it away on petty things. You never know when it will be over and every day is a gift. Everything has a purpose and meaning and one day whether it be sooner or later we will know and understand. I have always been fun loving and carefree, but have still been able to grounded and fly. I like that quality. I don't ever want to loose it!

[appeace]

Good Grief, Lady! How brave you are---no panic probably saved lives!
I tend to have dreams which are insights to situations. Or even a particular thought that flashes in my mind will turn out to be a predictor of a future event. Ive always maintained that they are from God trying to prepare me for a situation and have learned to act on them no matter how "weird" they seem.
One night I had a dream that I saw a very white, bright light and heard His voice saying. "I knocked and knocked but he wouldnt answer and let me in." "I knocked but your dad would not open the door". Then I woke with my heart pounding! Next morning I called my mum as dad was watching golf and didnt want to be disturbed. I made her promise to tell him which she told me later she did and 3 months later my dad passed away at 62 years of age from a massive heart attack:(
I guess what Im trying to say is to always pay attention to those type "glimpses" or "warnings" no matter where you believe they originate.
Ill be saying prayers for you and your family:)

[Sam]

:eek: Gosh Littledevil! You really went through some bad stuff.
I'm pretty much like Appeace on this. Happens to me all the time. I either dream something or catch a glimpse of something and I find myself living it even when I try to ignore it. So in my old age I have learned to accept this as my warning from God to avoid if possible and prepare if not.
But you did prepare even without fully knowing it. You had the food and water and the cell phone and you didn't let panic overcome you. The result... that everyone came through it. Maybe if dad hadn't gone to get you...his medical condition might not have been discovered. I too have Always believed that there are some things we can control and some things we can't and that all things DO happen for a reason. Glad everyone made it through and will keep you in my prayers.;)

[Littledevil]

Thanks ladies. I appreciate that. I don't feel brave or even like a hero at all! Things just seemed out of my control and helpless! I always pay attention to things that I see, it has prepared me for many events that have happened. When I fianally got home, I had a good cry in the shower! Too much emotional turmoil drains your energy.

[JustBecause]

You are obviously a source of strength for your family. I'm sure they love you very much. :)