[Change this a little today(1/8/10). Found a great photo and video of "This Old House" by Stuart Hamlin.]
And, suddenly it's winter before we know it....
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 have gone. 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 in reality
doesn't catch me by surprise -- but how did I get here so fast? Where
did the years go and where did our babies 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 friends are
all retired and getting really gray...they move slower and I am an
older person now even though I still work everyday.
Lots are in better shape than me... But, I
see the great change... Not like the ones that I remember
who were young and vibrant... But, like me, their 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 that has come.
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!!
And be right with your God, ready to eject your Earth-suit to live free with Him forever.
"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 - that's your choice, you know. "LIVE IT
WELL!!----ENJOY TODAY!!!!-----DO SOMETHING FUN!!!.---BE HAPPY!!! ----BE THANKFUL!!!!! GOD IS GOOD, ALWAYS NO MATTER HOW IT SEEMS AT ANY MOMENT IN YOUR GREAT LIFE.
(Thanks to Geri Sheaffer Barwick in Pennsylvania for the list "How to know you're getting old." I already had it and used it in 2004 but seeing it again motivated me to rework it. I took great liberty this time since we don't know who the author of list and is and turned the ten points into a narrative. -np)
