Tuesday June 14 2016  IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME

Just in case you haven’t arrived yet, I have a few things to tell you.  Arrive where, you may ask?  Well, the destination to which I refer to is at the entrance of old age.  Yep!  That would be where I am now, although I do not feel old.  More than likely I look older than I feel.  And the fact that I want to share with you is, the fact that “IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME” to be old.  Not only does it take a lot of time to arrive at that door, it seems that the arrival time is different for each individual.  And I don’t feel like I am truly over the threshold as of yet, but I certainly have some of the symptoms of the door opening wider.

There is much involved in the aging process.  Genetics, health, self abuse, nutrition, exercise, active lifestyle verses sedentary lifestyle, where you live, career choices, and even economics, are all contributing factors to how quickly we do, or do not age.  And the list could go on.

When I was younger I didn’t understand why people spent an hour or two at the gym each day.  I wondered if they didn’t have enough to do, or perhaps just didn’t have a “real life”.  I thought of it as a very selfish and self pampering behavior.  It just seemed trivial to me.  Sorry folks.  I hope that doesn’t make me look as bad as I think it does by sharing my naivety and lack of wisdom of the immature self that I once was.  Now I am viewing life from the opposite view.  I am on the upper spectrum of my earth years so perhaps I have learned just a few things. 

After I regained my health and vigor of my youth after eating less and joining a gym, all of a sudden it was as if the scales fell off my eyes.  After recapturing so much of what I had lost physically, I now realize that the people who go to the gym faithfully really do not just “have” the time to do it but they must persevere and create the time to do so.  These are the people who do have a life.  Sometimes when we give up one thing to accomplish an even greater thing, we receive benefits that far outweigh what we have given up.

I know personally I sacrifice hours in my days to make certain that I get to the gym to workout.  And those two hours a day, along with eating healthy and doing my best to make certain I have adequate rest, have restored me to a place that I never thought was possible.  A little over three years ago I could barely get up out of a chair and it was always with great pain that I did so.  Now I don’t even think about it anymore.

However, just because I can get up out of a chair and go the gym on a regular basis, believe me, I am still aging.  The years take a toll on the human body no matter how much you do “right”, how much rest you receive, or even how active you might be.  Sometimes it is because of being so active which can cause the nuances of that which plagues you.  For me, it is now my elbow and shoulder.  I thought I was mightier that I was and tried to move something I had no power to move.  And, it is continuing to haunt me with limited use of the right arm, shoulder and hand.  Physical therapy hasn’t fixed it, and according to my MRI, the tears in my rotatory cuff are not serious enough to qualify for surgery.  I can’t help but wonder if it is because of my age?  So I am again in the midst of another round of therapy.  And therapy takes time.  And old age just keeps sneaking up on me.  One day at a time.  It can pounce on us or sometimes it sneaks up very quietly to surprise us.  And usually it is only one “little” thing at a time and we adjust and get used to the time it takes to pamper the intruder, and like a thief in the night, another one wriggles right past the alarm system.  And every little thing adds up and each malady takes a little bit more of your time to prepare for the day or to prepare for bed, or more to take with you when you go someplace.  And that is what I mean when I say “IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME” just being older!

Now I know why people need to retire.  It takes time to take care of these old bodies!  Just don’t be surprised at all the little surprises that pop up along the pathway as we trudge to the top of the hill.  As for me, I choose to meander on the way up and take time to smell the roses.  And if truth be told, I am enjoying each day I live, regardless how much time it takes me to do, what I used to could do, so much more quickly.  I don’t have as much time as I used to but as long as I can drive myself to the gym I will at least show up.  I want to do as much as I can for as long as I can.  For me personally old age is not a destination; it is a place I aspire to go in order to finish some of my dreams that I’ve yet to fulfill. It is so much better to be old when you think of the alternative.  So, even as I slow down, God is still by my side giving me the strength I need for each moment I live.  We are never promised tomorrow.  I just thank God each day for every moment he allows me to walk on this earth.  And I especially thank God for each and every day that Dave and I share this road together. 

No matter where you are in life, stop and give praise to the one who made you, as well as who died for you, so that you will someday live eternally  with Him in heaven.  That is where my pathway is leading.  Where is your pathway taking you?

 

I KNOW ONE THING CERTAIN

By Kathleen Martens

June 14, 2016

 

The end of the road

Is not really the end,

When the one waiting

Is your truest Friend.

 

No matter how steep

Or rugged the path,

Or however wearisome,

It will not last.

 

The end is in sight

When you’ve come so far.

When You reach the top

Your sight can’t be marred.

 

The highway of life

Takes twists and turns,

As well as experiences

That helped us learn.

 

We are to keep our focus

On the God who loves all.

God designed a perfect plan

That we would not fall.

 

He commanded each one

To honor father and mother

That our days would be long

On earth with our brothers.

 

And when we have wisdom,

Days are added to life,

So man and woman live longer

As husband and wife.

 

So I thank God daily

For years on this earth,

For hours and moments

Are all of great worth.

 

And though I am older,

My privilege complete

When God calls me home

And Jesus I meet.

 

And so it takes longer

To do as I must,

At least I can move

And hopefully won’t rust.

 

So I accept each day

As a precious jewel,

And study Gods Scripture,

My most treasured tool.

 

And as I walk

Through these later years,

I know one thing certain,

Closer to God I draw near.

 

Deuteronomy 5:16

¹⁰ “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
¹¹ For by me your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you.”

 

Thank You God for however many days I left on this earth.

Thank You for creating me.

Thank You Lord for all our talks and hours we have spent together.

Thank You for all the days I have lived.

Thank You for creating asparagus.

Thank You that Dave walks beside me.

I love You so much God!

 

HAVE A GREAT AFTERNOON AND BLESSED TOMORROW.