And then, it is winter...

My dearest friend, Marion Julyan, sent me the following email and it kinda touched me in a way I did not expect..... I identified with it!! I regret I recognised certain aspects of it - never considering for a moment that I actually am bordering on early Autumn and that winter is not really that far off and that I would soon be entirely in tune with the sentiments.

Many years ago, I borrowed a friends old grey bakkie to take James (my son) back to school. When I say old, I mean really been to wars, faded, dented, and an engine that sounded like it had a bad case of bronchitis. As it chugged up the hill I made some catty comment about it being slow and needing a push and James quietly said "Mom, you are also going to be old and grey one day." Alright so that was twenty-odd years ago and somehow it still feels like yesterday.

So for those of us in early or late Autumn, here is perhaps a recipe to keep winter at bay for as long as possible. And to make sure we keep things in perspective and not take life too seriously, some of my favourite Aunty Acid quips.
 

 

Being very aware of copyright, etc, I searched the internet for the author to give him/her credit for putting into beautiful words, what so many of us face, or must face in the not too far distant future. What I did find was numerous discussions, blogs, commentaries and various other references, all with one thing in common .... the author is unknown.

Dear Unknown Author - forgive me for reproducing your words without giving you credit but my friends would appreciate me sharing your thoughts with them.

-o0o-

And Then It’s Winter.

Author Unknown

And it’s winter before we know it…You know, time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years.

It seems just yesterday that I was young, 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…my friends are retired and really getting gray…they move slower and I see an older person now. Lots are in better shape than me…but, I see the great change. Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant but, like me, their 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 that I wish I had done but never did!!

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…it’s 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! Don’t put things off too long!!

Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as 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 and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!!

“Life is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after….Make it a fantastic one.”

LIVE IT WELL!
ENJOY TODAY!
DO SOMETHING FUN!
BE HAPPY!
BE THANKFUL!