We Didn't Even See it Coming

 

     As days turn into weeks, weeks, months, and months, years, most of us marvel at how fast time passes. We go from carefree children, to teen-agers, young adults, parents, and middle-aged grandparents so quickly that one day, we find ourselves wondering how we came to be in the autumn of our years so soon. Suddenly, younger folks are opening doors for us and calling us Ma’am or Sir.

We didn’t even see it coming! 

I was talking to a friend recently whose dog, a faithful companion for twelve years, had just been taken from her. We were bemoaning the fact that loss is so painful, when she said, “That’s the worst thing about getting old; you have to see so many loved ones die!” 

A profound statement, but true.  

Everyone seems fond of saying, “I’m a work in progress.” It’s a fact. We all are. We're also in training. Everything we do, everything that occurs in our lives, is a test. We cannot move to a higher level in life without taking a test. The things we go through from childhood to adulthood – the mishaps, hurts, disappointments, successes and failures – all of them prepare us for a later test. If we learn anything at all during these training years, then we will handle the later years more gracefully and hopefully, without as much pain, and each test will be easier to bear. 

Not only that, but having come through it ourselves and moved up a level, we will be able to help others cram for their tests. Our experience is invaluable to younger ones who are still struggling with the heartaches and disappointments that life throws at them. 

It’s so interesting – watching the changing of the guard, so to speak – the old generation moving on and the next one taking over.  

On this sunny February day, with springtime right around the corner, growing older doesn’t seem so bad though, does it? 

It’s still about living one day at a time; savoring every season of your life and helping others do the same.

~~~ 

   Remember sixteen—when all the world was new and your life stretched before you like virgin snow waiting for your footprints?

 www.amazon.com/author/peggytoneyhorton