Journey into Senior Citizenship

I'm sure you've heard it; "He's a grouchy old coot! She's a cranky old witch!" etc. Here's what I have figured out about why. You get up in the morning slowly because the inactivity has caused the arthritis to stiffen up your joints and there's very little of your body that doesn't ache. You've been lying down so when you stand up, the blood leaves your head to circulate through the rest of you so you're a little wobbly. Slowly, you start your day. You spend several minutes taking the medication regimen the doctor has you on so your heart will keep beating, your blood pressure will be mostly normal, your thyroid will function correctly, and your diabetes won't put you in a coma. If you have to drive somewhere, you go a little slower than the young people, mostly because your reflexes are slower and besides, you've learned that getting somewhere a couple of minutes sooner, really isn't life changing. You finally make it to the checkout stand and you're writing a check and the person waiting is obviously short on patience and making you even more nervous than you already were from dodging 30 mile an hour children in the aisles. Your hand has some trouble gripping a pen, so it takes you awhile to write everything out and people's moans and groans won't make you go any faster. God forbid you have to try to go through a door with your walker because there are few people who will hold a door anymore for anyone, let alone a cranky old goat! Here's my point for all you not yet at the cranky stage of life people. We reached this point in life faster than we anticipated and so will you!!! I promise I will try to be less cranky and grouchy if you promise to have more patience and acceptance. Remember, your day is coming fast!

Journey to Senior-citizenship

So I was shopping at my favorite variety store the other day and I saw an item that I thought I could really use. The problem was I had nothing else in my cart yet and my pride was yelling at me, "What if you run into someone you know? Do you want them to know you need that?" So I thought "I can go on through the store and come back by here on my way out and then I'll have something I can hide it under in the cart. But what if I forget to come back this way? (I've been known to forget things occasionally.) So began the battle of brain against pride!! My brain said, "Many people younger than you need this product. What's the big deal?" My pride said, "Are you kidding? It's a sure sign you're old when you need this! If someone sees you, you'll have to change your name and move away or forever be the butt of jokes." My brain said, "Get over yourself. You are aging but so is everyone else." My pride said, "Yes, but so far you've been aging fairly nicely. Do you want to give that up?" Finally I decided my brain was right. I am getting older and it's okay to need some assistance with certain things and maybe I should just relax and give in to the idea that, for me, this is necessary at this time and if anyone thinks it's funny, okay. I've brightened someone's day by giving them a laugh or two. So I threw the magnifying glass in the cart and went on with my shopping, proud to be a Senior Citizen.

It's been so long since I've sat down to write, I actually had trouble signing in. I wish I could say that I've been really busy doing wonderful awe-inspiring things and I haven't had time, but I can't. Unfortunately, I've learned that one of the "perks" of being my age is a flagging memory. I might be doing some chore when I get an idea for the blog and I think "I will write that down" and the next thing you know, I'm doing something else and I've forgotten to write down my wonderful idea. I figure, though, that if I remember to finish the chore I'm in the middle of, I'm doing okay. I did remember to get dressed today so that's a step in the right direction. I seriously try to look for the positives in getting older. I get a discount at lots of places. More people hold doors for me. People often ask me for my opinion on things. although most of the time I think they're thinking, "She's so old-fashioned." What most young people don't realize is that the old ideas seem to stand the test of time. Things my grandmother believed to be true are still true today. If you don't believe me, you can read it in the Book. That's the Bible for those who don't read it regularly enough to recognize the idea. I've found most of my help comes from there. Give it a try.

I guess this will sound somewhat boastful but I have to say it. I am one HOT GRANDMA!! The problem with this statement is not that it has anything at all to do with my looks or my shape but rather with the state of my body temperature. While everyone else is in sweaters and blankets, I have the air conditioner on or spend all my time fanning myself with the nearest magazine or newspaper. My husband sleeps under comforters wearing sweatpants and socks and I am under only a sheet and my head leaves a wet spot on the pillow! Such are the joys of senior citizenship for women. The Bible says a virtuous woman will be called blessed by her family. Mine calls me weird! I look forward to Heaven, not just because I'll see Jesus, but because I will be able to ask God "Why, Lord? I wasn't responsible for Adam's bite of the apple. Why take it out on me?" My only consolation is that I am pretty sure that this is not an unusual phenomonem known only by yours truly so if any of the rest of you want in on my plan to kick Eve's butt when I get to heaven, you'll have to form a line behind me!

My 45th class reunion is this summer. I think I'll probably try to attend this one though I have not gone to any previously. The reason for this is really a stupid one. As a child, I was painfully shy and always thought I knew my PLACE in the world. I carried that attitude in to highschool and I was never a part of any social crowd. I had friends, but not lifetime friends and was definitely shunned by the popular crowd. My thinking remained in that same trap for most of my adult life. I have come to think of life now in nautical terms. The Bible refers often to life as a voyage, so I guess I can too. When we are children, our ships are untied from the dock and we are allowed to sail in shallow waters while we learn to navigate and get our sea legs. Once we're ready, we're allowed to sail off on our own. Depending on what we've learned, we have visions of smooth sailing and grand adventures. Some travel out on the sea, confident that they have the courage, strength, and knowledge to go far. Some of us, run in to stormy weather, sand bars, or icebergs and turn around and sail back to the dock where it's safe. I am definitely one of those who have wasted a lot of time tied to the dock. It's true most of my sand bars and icebergs were of my own making, but that didn't make them any less real to me. If I could still raise my leg high enough, I'd kick myself in the patoot! I have decided to untie my ship and set sail. I'm sure it won't always be smooth sailing, but I think I have finally got my sea legs and I know a great Navigator so wish me luck.

Forgive the musings of an old woman. This morning while I was reading and praying, I had this thought. Our journey through life is much like the journey through a corn maze. Have you ever been to one? There are lots of twists and turns, roadblocks and hazards and sometimes darkness, but when you make it through the reward is home and light. I believe we all choose someone or something to guide us through; whether it be a person, a thing, or a substance and sometimes even our own egos. I chose to hire a Guide, a person who gives me direction when I ask and waits patiently when I stumble into dark corners or trip over obstacles or other people. His price was so reasonable for me. He actually paid the price, all I had to do was accept His leadership. As I get closer and closer to finding Home, I seem to trust His judgement more and more. I know there are many more who make use of this same Guide, they may call Him by a different name, but they have chosen to follow Him because they know His way is best and listening to Him brings peace. While the world stumbles in darkness, we can see the glimmer of the light of Home. I intend to enjoy the journey! Will you join me?

I've been thinking during this Christmas season, how my wish lists have changed over the years. I think we all want all the things that we are told life will be better with if we just have them. We want all the toys with all the bells and whistles, the beautiful things with bling to wear on our arm and show off to others, and all the devices that will certainly make our life easier and better. But, what if we all decided that we don't really want the tangible things after all? How would our lives be enriched if on Christmas, we made a promise to each other to spend time in service of some kind to one another? A shared meal, a day of rest from responsibility, a chore done, a book read aloud, TIME? Is this just the delusional thinking of an old woman, or would life be happier if we didn't worry about things and spent more time just spending time with one another? That's what is on my list this year. Buy if you feel you must, but know I would rather have your presence that your presents!