Aging is Definitely Not for the Timid
Life is one of those lessons we all must learn the hard way. There is no shortage of time-tested adages about how we change as we age. I know because I have said and heard them all over the years. Those trite sayings lack all the scope and depth of emotional and physical changes each of us has encountered along the journey.
I already wrote about my youth and some may notice the story is sketchy. In truth, it was not a storybook tale. Life is tough and can be gritty, even for a small child. One of my early memories was the passing of my great grandmother when I was seven years-old. The memory is etched in my mind as I broke my arm that day, after the funeral. I do remember the cast I had to wear for several months. Difficult stuff for someone that age, but I am not complaining. Life happens. I am not here to lament any of the things that happened in my childhood. We do not choose our parents, maybe.
A big part of me believes we choose to experience life with old friends. When we are born, we no longer remember those choices, but those same souls are all around us. If that is true, it is a wonderful thing. At the time, we do not remember our life before birth. After this life, we will understand again.
Family life was plenty of challenges. My father was gone a lot, doing his job as a pilot. My mother could not handle that emotionally. My brother had his own friends. That left me alone a lot, which is how I came the be the introverted, somewhat intense person I still am today.
College changed me quite a bit. I had friends my age at the dorm. Some of my classes were quite difficult, while others were a real pleasure. Speaking of great classes, I took an Asian Religions class at the university. The professor amazed me. He would sing, play the lute, and do calligraphy in front of the class. He was truly one in a million. With all these experiences, I was coming into my own. I began to understand that my intensity was actually my intellect. Whoa! What a transition! Before I knew it, college was over and I started working for a living.
It turns out that I graduated at the beginning of the Carter Administration. While the economy was floundering and inflation was rampant, I was in my twenties and having a blast. A twenty-something person has infinite hope and high aspirations. That was me.
After two job changes, I found myself in San Diego. Paradise! The company I worked for had its factory in Tijuana. I worked with company management to get a new building and move other factories there. My future was bright. I thought I was on top of the world.
Then I met the love of my life at the Berlitz School with two coworkers attempting to learn Spanish. I was smitten from day one. We had some ups and downs, but were married five years later. I thought I had picked the golden ticket, and I had.
That relationship continues to this day. Yes, there have been a lot of changes. Neither of us are as young as we were back then. Of course, time goes by. Feeling changes, fears arise, and health issues occur, but love is always love.
The young man in St. Joe, Missouri who would wear short sleeves when the temperature hit fifty degrees at winter’s end must now wear a sweater when it’s sixty. Late nights now end around nine o’clock. Ten if I’m pushing. Still, my mind is full of the greatest memories of my past. My grandchildren are growing up fast. My hair is getting grayer.
I would not change a moment of memories. The bad and good are part of me. I have no fear of the future. All will be well in God’s universe. Just keep warm. All the best!
Karl, at our age, memories are all that we have left. What is heartbreaking is that we used to be able to do ANYTHING and now we have to defer to somebody else because we can’t do it anymore. That, sir, is a hard pill to swallow.
Congrats on your long life together with that golden ticket.
Things definitely get more difficult and complicated as we age. It’s part of the plan, even though we hate it. I wake up and feel like I’m twenty again. Then, I try to get out of bed, and oof! While the body may weaken, our minds remain strong, and hopefully, our connection to the Lord grows stronger too.
“After this life we will understand again.” What a beautiful statement, Karl! I used to want to live long past 100, but with age comes wisdom (we hope). Now I want to live as long as my memories are intact and my children don’t have to take care of me. How our aspirations change with age! May you and the love of your life live long and prosper! God bless you!
Patty, I agree with you on most points, although I believe Our Father decides when we move from this life to the next. A sister of my wife recently passed after a long bout of dementia. While I did not see much of her then, I know it was very hard on her children. I don’t wish that fate on anyone. Still, God decides. He’s smarter than me and knows what’s best for everyone. Life can turn very bad, but in the end, we are whole again.
True words, Karl. Every moment of our lives is in His hands, and He knows our end from the beginning. We can trust Him to know when to take us Home.
What an interesting history you have outlined, Karl. Life is a challenge, that is true, and aging is absolutely not for the timid, but I think it is a great adventure! I believe that our soulmates are out there and those of us who are blessed to find each other know that, as you said, love is love. It doesn’t waiver through the ages of time.
Karen, I totally agree. My soulmates are around me at all times. I may not see them yet, and they may not know me, but deep within, we are still a family. When it all comes together, we are all soulmates, brothers, and sisters.
My mom likes to say that her mind still feels 21 but her body refuses to cooperate. I love the idea that we are surrounded by souls from another lifetime, albeit perhaps in different roles. It’s an idea I’ve carried into my stories. We learn what we must this lifetime and continue the journey in the next. And in the end, the only moment that truly exists is the one in which we are currently experiencing. Our past is but a memory; our future doesn’t exist. So, all we can do is make the most of the moment we are in and savor it. Great post, Karl!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Dang, Yvette. That was deep. I’m glad you share my view on the voyage of our spirits. That view makes me feel confident and happy with my little place in God’s universe.
This is a beautiful post. I keep in touch with a few friends of mine from high school (I graduated from high school 56 years ago). They were the best ones yet. I don’t keep in contact with any of my college friends, mainly because I went to college at night and didn’t make too many friends. It’s really nice to think of the people we’ve had the privilege of knowing throughout our lifetime. There are many more opportunities to meet new ones, still.
Karl, I loved this post! My dearest friend, who now lives in Florida and who I miss every day) believes that we were siblings in another life and that I was her brother! She calls me “Bro.” The idea that souls cycle through many lifetimes is fascinating. I’m not sure how fully I believe that, but it could explain that “deja vu” feeling or those times we meet people and think “it’s like I’ve known you forever!” Maybe we have…
Maura, while we cannot know for certain, I am convinced our souls travel from life to life, unless we choose to stay with our Creator for a while. In a way, it’s like playing with friends when we are young. Today we play cops and robbers. Tomorrow it is a different game. But we choose our fellow travelers, not for fun, but because we are a family.
That’s very true, Wanda. Life presents endless opportunities. We are also a collaborative species. People like other people.
Hi, Karl,
To be honest, I haven’t started summarising my life. Yes, life changes and I get that. We change and in my case I believe that friends and circles change because they expand. However, I enjoy life, or better said, I enjoy the challenges and keep moving forward.
I enjoyed your take on how you see things.
Have a lovely day.
Shalom aleichem
Thank you, Pat. I almost never think about my childhood. It just seemed appropriate to use for my post. We are all very complex, as we have lived to many different experiences. At times, it’s good to be reminded how we ended up where we are. At least that’s my perspective.
Karl thank you for sharing your life. Now I know a little bit more about you.
My memories of childhood are also sketchy as I only remember bits and pieces. When I look back, I realize I remember the highs and lows and the in-betweens.
I meant to say I remember the highs and lows and not the in-betweens. I shouldn’t write when I’m tired and can’t edit afterward.
Hi Karl! You’re from St. Joe? I lived in Ferguson, Florissant, Hazelwood and Salem. Small world, isn’t it? I agree, getting older isn’t for sissies (as a friend of mine used to say), but I sure do love all the wisdom that I’ve acquired. : )
Best wishes,
Donna M Atwood
D M Atwood
https://www.dmatwood.com
Donna, I lived in St. Joe for two years. I hardly qualify as a native. But I did make lots of friends in those two years. That job also led me to another job with the same company in San Diego. Ah, my youth! Gone but not forgotten. Although the freezing rain is something I will never miss.