I looked forward to retirement...oh how I looked forward to doing whatever I wanted to do.The days would be filled with all things creative and wonderful. I put things off until that day, when I wouldn't have a care in the world. At first it was all that, but as I started really aging...things changed. My health (which had always been good) started to fail. Dr. warning of high cholesterol was the first. I went into action and changed my eating habits. I successfully lowered it by having to give up some favorite things. Sweets in particular. Then came a little bit of dehydration. This could be serious because of having only one kidney. So, now I carry water with me...everywhere I go. Favorite drinks like coffee and tea had to be limited...they are both diuretics I found out. Then the body started to fall apart, as I kiddingly put it, so I had to limit gardening. This was the hardest thing to do. Then the eyesight....I had to choose between painting and reading, both of which filled my days with joy. Especially during the winter months...and now I find that I may have rheumatoid arthritis which causes joint pain. What next? I was at the Dr. this morning and we joked about the "Golden Years" I realize that this post may not tickle your fancy...especially if you are younger or don't like to talk about old ladies ailments...I didn't mean it to be that way.There's a lesson in this post...don't put things off till your "Golden Years." If you want to take a trip...do it now. If you want to do a marathon...do it now. If you want to learn to knit or sew....do it now. If you want to do some gardening...do it now. If you want to take a cooking class...do it now.I can't say it enough...do it now. Don't put fun things off...you may not be able to do them later on. I don't want to sound like a grouch...I do have fun, I do wake up each day and wonder what the day will bring, I do look forward to each day and the seasons, I do still learn new things. I do still love finding a good book by a new author, I do still enjoy food and the preparation of it, I do still love my husband and family...I just want to do more without so many limitations. If I had known what I do now...my life might have been so different. Here's a quote from Mark Twain...
.Life would be infinitely happier if we could only be born at the age of eighty and gradually approach eighteen.
As Joe often says, "If I had known I was going to live so long...I would have taken better care of myself."
The writing of this post has taught me something too. I should strengthen my faith in God. He watches over me and is there watching while I meander into old age.....one slow step at a time. How lucky I am to have that faith....and Him to lean on.
Balisha
Addition....I just came back and reread this one. Wow...I was in quite a mood when I wrote this. I didn't mean to write a tell all on my health problems. I thought of removing the post, but then thought better of it. It's how I felt this morning and it will stay. This is a journal of sorts for me and when I read it later on....I'll know how I was feeling on the 18th of August, 2012. My journal is open to everyone to read...so if it doesn't appeal to you...come back tomorrow and maybe I'll be writing a post on the garden. On the other hand I hope it's helpful for others in my situation to know that they aren't alone when they have these feelings. I hope so...
Balisha
