Approx. 613 words
Ah my Friend…Let me tell you about the
older I get. Thinking back on my life, I have had happiness, joy, sadness, and
disappointment. This we all experience, but getting older, only a select few
like we are enter the “Golden Years.” Even though sometimes we think they are
made of bronze. The downfalls I did not expect are the aches and pains when I
move.
Little things such as
seeing fresh snow on the mountains, watching birds flying, cottontail rabbits
eating grass in the front yard, a burro owl coming to visit every evening.
These things take me back to my childhood when small desert burros came into my
front yard and I was able to climb on them while they ate the grass. They
didn’t seem to think about trying to dislodge me from their backs. What a thrill
for a young child.
Watching my children grow up. Knowing they
have become such upstanding adults. They have love and a good understanding of
life. The three of them have, what I consider very
important: A fantastic sense of humor.
When the grandchildren came along, I did
not know what a blessing they would be. Holding them in my arms, loving, warm
and trusting. Knowing they think of me as one of the most important people they
have in their lives. In their eyes, I can do no wrong. Calling my oldest and telling her, “This is
your old and decrepit grandmother,” she just laughs and answers, “Yeah, right.”
At
sixteen, she told me, “Grandma, you are so much fun,
you can be in my world anytime.” Cutting the cord on my youngest grandson and
seeing him take his first breath in this somewhat crazy world. Not enough can
be said about the feelings I had and how close we are.
When
we bought our new and hopefully last home on an acre and quarter lot, the youngest
granddaughter, at three and a half, asked me, if we brought all of the dirt with
us when we moved? The second oldest, so
protective of me, and in her way of thinking, I have the greatest singing voice
in the world and that is not debatable.
The
oldest grandson, living so far away and I know he loves me and misses me as I do
him when he returns home from visiting, which is always too short of a time. If
I would have known what great satisfaction and fun I have with them, I think sometimes
I should have considered having them first. But, this way I can always send
them home to their parents.
Being in contact with old friends, (no pun
intended) and know I will see them soon and be able to talk to them after so
many years, brings me to sort of a round robin. They say, “New friends are
silver, the old ones are gold.” Oh so true!
Having a husband who is
loving, helpful and tries to protect me. Wanting him
to know laughter as I know it. Telling me, “One thing about being
married to you, there has never been a dull moment.”
Yes, ups and downs, but I go on with a
hope in my heart for those I love and know, even those I don’t. I know all of
the clichés, but I have seen the Elephant, so to speak. What a sight, and a
delight. In a way, so
sad this getting older.
Hey! What am I saying? I still have a lot
of living and loving left in me. Why worry about getting older? Missing
anything? No! Now is the time, as I am still young in heart and mind!