Getting Old(er)
I work from home so that I am mostly available to care for my husbands 93 year old Grandmother. She has lived with us for 5 years and is a hoot. She remembers her first ride in an electric car and talks about the family's 2 seated pony cart as though she were making the comparison to a Lexus SUV! With 12 siblings, 2 seats must have been a tight fit.
I invited her to live with us after an unfortunate fall she had. I felt good about my offer, I was doing a good thing. My jaw dropped when she said YES!! immediately. I really did not know what to expect as age stole from her so many things. Looking back I know it was a good decision and really the only one. Decline happens quickly. I have learned so much about myself through her. In comparison, two children, countless job responsiblities, a sound marriage and many close friendships, have not taught me as much about myself as my always changing relationship with her. I say always changing because her memory wanes from day to day. She is very concerned about her figure and having a tiny waistline and says her breast are still where they were when she was 20!!! I assure you even "Cross your Heart" can not perform that miracle!!! What the life changing lesson here for me is, (listen close this might be important), whatever you focus on now could still be what consumes you later in life. If you are critical of others, or deny the love of your life your very best, or you don't make time to play with your children or you ignore good character, or integrity is what you expect of others not yourself, chances could be that those will still be a part of who you are at 70. I am making a conscious decision to make each day count. We all have the tools we need to make changes or additions to our lives that help us to be the best version of ourselves. When I close my eyes and picture myself at my best, I see someone who complains less, excercises more, holds her tongue, more organized and most of all. more forgiving of my own shortcomings.
I invited her to live with us after an unfortunate fall she had. I felt good about my offer, I was doing a good thing. My jaw dropped when she said YES!! immediately. I really did not know what to expect as age stole from her so many things. Looking back I know it was a good decision and really the only one. Decline happens quickly. I have learned so much about myself through her. In comparison, two children, countless job responsiblities, a sound marriage and many close friendships, have not taught me as much about myself as my always changing relationship with her. I say always changing because her memory wanes from day to day. She is very concerned about her figure and having a tiny waistline and says her breast are still where they were when she was 20!!! I assure you even "Cross your Heart" can not perform that miracle!!! What the life changing lesson here for me is, (listen close this might be important), whatever you focus on now could still be what consumes you later in life. If you are critical of others, or deny the love of your life your very best, or you don't make time to play with your children or you ignore good character, or integrity is what you expect of others not yourself, chances could be that those will still be a part of who you are at 70. I am making a conscious decision to make each day count. We all have the tools we need to make changes or additions to our lives that help us to be the best version of ourselves. When I close my eyes and picture myself at my best, I see someone who complains less, excercises more, holds her tongue, more organized and most of all. more forgiving of my own shortcomings.
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Comment by aida alinsub on January 23, 2009 at 8:53pm - Great! Here's for you : " One person caring about another represents life's greatest value. " Keep it up , sis!
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