ACCEPT WHAT IS ! PLEASE read this to the end. Thanks

[shipahoy41]

And Then It Is Winter….(an email from Linda Stewart at the Hueytown senior center)

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, and embarking on my new life. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. 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 friends are retired and getting grey...they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse 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 on this earth...it's NOT over. A new adventure will begin! 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 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.

LIVE IT WELL! ENJOY TODAY! DO SOMETHING FUN! BE HAPPY! HAVE A GREAT DAY! REMEMBER:.... It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver

[Cricketcage]

I'm only 55, but on Monday I changed a tire on the car - a fifteen minute job, and spent most of Tuesday in pain due to the mere act of changing a tire. I know I should accept it as what I have become, but it sure is a hard

[BarryG]

So TRUE!!!

[deltarat]

I am 68 and in pretty good shape. No medical problems other the arthritis but I don't let it slow me down much.My son says I can out work almost all of his friend's Dads and half of his friends. Don't get me wrong, I can't do what I used t do or not as fast anyway and not without pain, but you just have to work through it.
I know the end is getting closer but I never thought I would live this long anyway.

[wicklundrh]

Thanks Ship!

I catch myself daily having to slow down, take a break, or rethink how I need to do something. I've said "I'm not as young as I used to be". Mortality comes to us all.

[scrat]

True so very true. Thanks for sharing that with us Ship.

Life on earth is but a second of time compared to the life in Heaven with Jesus which is forever and ever.

John 3:16

[ET Fish]

Awesome post and reminder! I found myself thinking back on a simpler time, and reminiscing of my youth and life as a younger adult. Thanks for taking me there, and for the reminder of what is really important!

[Yaker]

Thanks ship,I learned over time to never take things for granted,always be thankful,give the good lord all the glory.I remember my late father gradually breaking down physically from many years of hard work.One of my dads sayings was," Son,hard work will never kill a man",a couple of years before he died he pulled me aside and said "Son I lied,too much hard work will kill a man" ........Don't forget to fish as often as needed,it's what the body needs!

[Crappie Pro Wannabe]

Very good post.

[deltarat]

Yaker, I have to agree with your Dad. Hard work won't kill you. I used to work 100+ hour weeks for 6-8 weeks straight and then maybe a couple of weeks back to 80 or so and it made me better for it. I like to think that is why I am in as good of shape as I am. I farmed and once I got the crop out, I would hunt almost as hard as worked.
I have slowed down since 50 but I still have to stay busy.