"Live It Well"

Thanks to my friend, Leslie, for sending me this wonderfully inspirational writing.  This has relevance for me because my parents are both aged and their health is failing.  My Dad and I were talking on the phone the other day, and he said that he wishes there were many things that he could have done, but on the whole, he thought he had lived a good life and had lived it well.

Judy

You know, time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was a young girl/boy, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate.  And yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went.  I know that I lived them all...  And I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams... But, here it is...the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise...

How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my babies go? And where did my youth go?

I remember well... seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like... 

But, here it is... husband retired and he's really getting gray... he moves slower and I see an older man now. He's in much better shape than me... but, I see the great change...  Not the one I married who was dark and young and strong... but, like me, his age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be.

Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore... it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will... I just fall asleep where I sit!

And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things.
But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last... This I know, that when it's over...its over.... Yes , I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done ,,,,, things I should have done .... But indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done .... It's all in a lifetime...
So, if you're not in your winter yet... let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly!

Life goes by quickly ...So, do what you can today, because you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life...  so, live for good today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...

"Life is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who came after. Make it a fantastic one."
LIVE IT WELL!!

                              ~author unknown~