Walking the road of life

     

     Some wise soul aptly stated, “Growing older is like slowly going up in an airplane. The horizon gets wider and wider as we look down on the earth, as things become smaller and of much less importance in the panoramic view of our souls.”  

     I can attest to that, as each year I add another to my fast accumulating birthday number. There are others older, yet – I am old. 

     At least I am beginning to feel so with each passing year, and we all know mirrors don’t lie! Of course, it also depends on our perspective.      Two of my very dear friends, home-bound much of the time, both in their late 90s, yet still show forth a victorious, happy contentment in the Lord. What an example they are to me! 

     I felt honoured and truly blessed this birthday as I keenly read and responded to the many greetings I received on Facebook. 

     I loved hearing from so many, – a pupil I taught years ago in my Preschool, my kids’ teenage friends from early church days, some with gracious comments as to the positive influence I had on them — truly warming my heart. 

     “To be blessed," I’ve learned, is to experience the favour of God and people. 

     My first delight of the day was a phone call from Eva, my dear friend just shy of 97, singing me “Happy Birthday.” 

     The day progressed with more singing messages, texts, snail mail surprises, calls from relatives in N.B., ending with a delightful family group dinner of 11 at one of my favourite restaurants. I felt special and wanting to shout, "Dear Old World…You are very lovely and I am glad to be alive in You!” — Anne Shirley of Green Gables. 

     We all know that as we age, much about us will change. For some, changes will be more drastic, arriving too early. 

     Each day, I do awake with a thankful heart, that my woes are presently at a minimum. 

     The following is someone’s humorous description of “why older people behave as they do”.   

     “Brains of older people are slow because they know so much. People do not decline mentally with age, it just takes them longer to recall facts because they have more information stored in their brains, scientists believe. 
Much like a computer struggles as the hard drive becomes full, so too humans also take longer to access information. 
Researchers say this slowing down is not the same as cognitive decline. 
The human brain works slower in old age, said Dr. Michael Ramscar, but only because we have stored more information over time. 
The brains of older people do not get weak. 
On the contrary, they simply know more, but may not be able to access the information. 
Also, older people often go to another room to get something and when they get there, they stand there wondering what they came for.  
Relate anyone? Not sure how much of the above is 'fact' but a little 'comforting.'"  

     A story was told of a conversation between a Reverend and an elderly lady, one of his parishioners. He suggested, considering her age, she should start being concerned about the “hereafter.” 
She abruptly answered, “Oh Reverend, I am! I am! Every time I go to the next room for something, I say, 'Now what am I, hereafter?'”  

     Continuing throughout the stages of old age, I will at times feel bleak, like winter has overtaken my heart. I will need to remind myself that the warmth of summer is always available to me. It’s my choice!   

     

     I like Martin Luther’s encouraging words — “This life is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness. It is not healthy, but healing; not being but becoming; not rest but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it. This is not the end, but it is the road."

— beulah