Young at Any Age

STORY:

I could sit here and write about getting older. It would be somewhat predictable as conversations go.

1. Time seems to go faster the older I get.
2. If this is the golden years, well they are not so golden.
3. Would'a, could'a should'a when I was younger.
4. Let's compare medical charts.
et cetera, et cetera, on and on, ad infinitum!

Truth is, I never thought about getting older/aging, illness and/or death until it started happening around and to me. Somehow I kept myself sheltered, disconnected and distant from the thought of "an end".

I fell in deep like with all the advertising images - older men and women scaling Mt. Everest, riding bicycles effortlessly over mountain trails, eating and drinking whatever and whenever they want. There's a right medication for every little malfunction that might occur, so not to worry.

Then there are the "mind-tricks" to play - power of positive thinking - set aside 30 minutes a day to deal with your worries - self-affirmations posted as reminders - do crossword puzzles to keep your mind active and engaged, again on-and-on and on-and -on.

The clock is real. It only goes one way. It is ticking right now. It does not stop. Everything else is pretend.

Get your thoughts down while you are able.


E-MAIL:

OK - so this poem was sparked by a line from a TV show, GLEE. One that we watch every week, at least in this house. Last night was the finale for the season and aside from several choice moments, the one that struck me the most was offered by the air-head character (one of my favorites), Brittany. She was talking heart to heart with her best bud Santana and had a few lucid moments in which she says, "Family is where you love no matter what." So I thought that it was an important enough idea to toss around a bit.

Some time ago I mentioned I felt I wanted to be less selfish. One of the things I felt selfish about was being so hard on people in my family in an effort to make me feel better inside. Most of the time it comes across and is meant as humour but it is ironic humour which can be hurtful. Unfortunately I absolutely love irony and I believe I will not be able to stop. Besides there are probably so many other things I have said and done that have hurt others feelings and/or pissed people off that I can't stop the one part of me I actually entertain myself with. I guess that means I'll continue to be selfish but please know that I love you, I am generally harmless and I have no ill intent No Matter What.

Love Ya

POEM:

No Matter What

05/25/11

We don’t have much

but we have what we need

Not a perfect way to talk

but the right words to speak

Not the same shared faith

but belief in one another

We have a different place in time

but we are always sisters and brothers

Feelings may get bruised by life’s events

but we must apply the salve of forgiveness

When it comes down to the heart of it

family is where you love each other no matter what