The Back 9 of Life TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EVERY DAY’S GIFT
You know, time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems like just yesterday I was young, just married, and embarking on my new life with my mate. But in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams. But, here it is. The back nine 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 seeing older people over the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me. I was only on the first hole, and the back nine 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 gray — they move slower and look older now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me, but I see the great change. Not like the ones I remember who were young and vibrant, but like me, their age is beginning to show, and we are now those older folks we used to see and never thought we'd become.
that I wish I had done, but never did. But at least I know that even though I’m on the back nine, I'm not sure how long it will last. That when it's over on this Earth, it's over, and a new adventure will begin! Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done, things I should have done, but there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime and part of the journey. If you're not on the back nine yet, let me remind you that it will be here faster than you think. Whatever you would like to accomplish in your life, please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long. Do what you can today because you can never be sure whether you’re on the back nine or not. You have no guarantee you will see all the seasons of your life. So, live for today, and say all the things you want your loved ones to remember and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things 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 you. Make it a fantastic one. Live it well, enjoy today, do something fun, and be happy ! Remember, "It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.”
Some of the things you learn as you get older are interesting like:
• Taking 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 of my own free will, I fall asleep where I sit!
• Going out is good. Coming home is better.
• You forget names. But it's okay because some people forgot they even knew you!
• You aren't as interested in the things you used to care about anymore, but you really don't care that you aren't as interested.
• You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV on than in bed. This is called "pre-sleep.”
• You miss the days when everything worked with just an "on" and "off" switch.
But old is good in some things: old songs, old movies, and best of all, OLD FRIENDS!
• You tend to use more four-letter words like “... what?" and “... when?"
Stay well, "Old Friend!" It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.
• What used to be freckles are now liver spots.
Today is the oldest you’ve ever been yet the youngest you’ll ever be, so enjoy this day while it lasts!
–Terry Monroe
And so now, I enter 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
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