All of us are getting older. From the time we are born, we are moving toward the final journey.
How does this make you feel? How do you feel about aging in general?
Photo:quotesgram.com
Aging can be scary. It is scary to lose your memory, your vision, your hearing, your ability to drive, sew, bake, cook, do gardening, singing, dancing, travelling,… or whatever other activity you once enjoyed. As we watch our loved ones age, we too become fearful of our own mortality and commonly say, "That is never happening to me." But believe me, it will. It is only a matter of time.
We do have a choice in how we approach aging, but we do not have a choice when it comes to aging itself.
Let us take a moment and ask ourselves how our parents aged or are aging. What happened or is happening in their lives? If their identities revolved around physical labour or being physically fit and active, as they are losing those abilities, how are they handling it? Oftentimes people will fall into depression as their physical capabilities and independence falter. The same is true for those whose self-esteem came from mental acuity, and now age-related dementia -- or, worse yet, Alzheimer's -- has set in.
You may rightly ask why am I writing this blog? Why am I raising these questions and concerns? There are a few answers I can give.
One, my own experience of getting older: diabetic, high blood pressure, the dreaded repeat prescriptions, the call for bowel cancer screening of over 60s by the NHS, and the annual diabetic eye screening, to name but a few. Then, watching my mother-in-law, nearly 90 years old and her aging! Phoning me many times a day, asking the time, the day, the date or if I know where her front door key is, and indeed sometimes forgetting what and why she is phoning me for! And then she phones back again: “I remember why I had phoned- “what time is it now?”-“Where is my key?”! (Nancy, my mother-in-law, passed away in 2016)
And not forgetting my next door neighbour, bless her, knocking on my door, and not remembering why! Or phoning me and saying” Oh I forgot who were you!” Kamran I say, whilst she says”I forgot what I wanted. I will phone you back”!! (Edna passed away in 2018)
Then the icing on the cake was last night when Annie and I went to see Quartet- a must-see film for everyone in the process of aging!
Based on Ronald Harwood's stage play of the same name, QUARTET is a wickedly comic film about redefining old age and growing old with hope; demonstrating how art illuminates life and the human spirit remains undimmed even as the brightest stars start to fade.
Quartet is actor Dustin Hoffman's directorial debut, and has been nominated for a 2013 Golden Globe for Maggie Smith's performance (Best Actress - Comedy or Musical)-
See more: http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/93533/quartet.html
Therefore, it is wonderful to be getting older, if we age with hope, love, gratitude, dreams, laughter and a good sense of humour. Not forgetting the most important ingredients:
Sharing the journey with a loving family and friends and firmly believing that Life is good and I am grateful to be alive: every moment is a gift.
The old , frail professor, a former student and the insights on life’s biggest question
Celebrating the Gift and Miracle of Ageing: Giving Thanks as I Approach 70
Gift Of Life
© Tami Harmel
No one knows the gift of life
until its seen in another's eyes.
What's he thinking I ask myself,
from this disease that he was dealt
He meets me at the door each day
with a great big smile upon his face.
The boss is in there he say's to me
and leads the way for me to see
After breakfast our day start's
with his favorite thing, doing art.
With brush in handle swirls and spins,
up, down and back again.
One line here a circle there, different
color's every where.
Oh, that's beautiful he says to me,
can we hang it with the others
for all to see
Everything happens for a reason, they say
and maybe for him it was meant that way
All the riches all the gold,
could not compare what this man holds.
So what's he thinking, I ask myself
from this disease that he was dealt.
Just remember no one knows,
what today may bring or tomorrow holds
No, we don't know that gift of life
until we've looked in that man's eyes