And Then It's Winter

It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my
New life with my spouse.
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 to ,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...

My 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. Its 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, say all the things that you want your
loved ones to remember...

"Life is God's gift to you.
The way you live your life is your gift to God,
and those who came after.
Make it a fantastic one."


LIVE IT WELL!!

 

I can relate, It's almost like you're describing my life and what I am experiencing.

 

I could not agree with what has been said more...It seems like only yesterday.......!

And how our priorities is life change....And the things that were important yesterday mean so little now.

The grandchildren seem to be at the top of the list and we look forward to seeing them play their games etc.

It is almost mandatory that we do volunteer work because no one will hire us anymore.

Doing God's work seems more important to us now than ever and sometimes we go out of our way to do it.

I heard recently that faith isn't faith until it has been tested. Mine has been tested many times.

Retirement is certainly not what it is cracked up to be. I also heard recently that you are wealthy if you don't have to work in order to live. God blessed me with this gift...Frankly, I don't know how I made it for 35 plus years, only with God's help I suppose....!

 

Man that really hit home for me. I been feeling it all since my heart attack in March.
Thanks. Rick

 

Very well said sierraben! I'm not sure if I'm in the Winter of my life but it sure is late in the Fall. I've always been a goal oriented person and I think that unfortunately that seems to make the time go by faster. I have my life planned out till I die and I don't want to go much past 75... 80 tops, but that's a different thread.

God bless and best of health to you and yours until the Spring of eternity!

 

Ben, you bring tears to my eyes. Not really so much because I can relate. Although I can very much relate as the lines you wrote eloquently express alot of what I have been pondering deeply lately. But tears to my eyes because a few weeks ago, I lost someone very dear to me. My Step Daughter died with complications during pregnancy and I am very much greaving her passing. I have been the only father in her mind and life since she was 3 years old. Now, her dying at the young age of 27, I find myself thinking very deeply about mortality. She will not ever experience her "Winter". It's just not fair.
Thank you for posting this. It's nice to read that others are having some of the same thoughts as I. Maybe not exactly the same, but very close in the sense that we are deep thinking, inteligent, pylosophical, and emotional. Sometimes I kind of feel alone, with so many shallow minded and self centered people in the world.

And THANK YOU xlt4me! For your contributing reference to "The Spring Of Eternity". That post was like a campfire on a cold night.
Regards, Tim

 

I wish I did write "And Then It's Winter", but I received it as a email from a friend.

I thought I'd share it with FTE. It to also touched me.

I do, as I'm sure most of us do, look back at our lives and see where we were, where we are, and where we might be. Alot of what ifs, maybe?

olfordsnstone, I'm truly sorry for your lost of your step daughter.

And to all that have read this thread, be comfortable in your winter.

Ben