7.22.2011

Aging

"Aging seems to be the only available way to live a longer life." ~D.F.E. Auber


I found this quote on one of my calendar pages recently and while it made me laugh at first, it kind of struck a chord with me. My dad will be 88 on August 3 and my mom is 86 and they are not enjoying aging because of all the things that go along with it. They both use walkers now, Dad is in pretty much constant pain and has a hard time getting around. Mom is on oxygen 100% of the time and has a pacemaker along with other physical limitations. Neither of them is loving this season of their life, as it's frustrating to them to not be able to do everything they'd like to do.

I really hate seeing them be this restricted at this point. After all, they were (and are) wonderful parents, active, responsible members of the Church and always made a great contribution to whatever they were involved in (and it was a lot!). I wish for them that they could do more of the things they'd like to do.

But on the other hand, I suspect (just from my own personal experience in this area!) that what they are experiencing is exactly what comes of living a long, full life. And the alternative is not a great one.

It makes the reminders my mom gives us very real: "Make sure you do everything you want to do and see everything you want to see before you can't do it anymore." She is grateful that they did go and do a lot of things while they still could.

I intend to do that, and for now, I'm grateful that I have both of them still here on the earth with us.

*picture by Mary Engelbreit

4 comments:

Jori said...

That is wonderful advice! I think we always wait for the perfect time to do something, and there really never is a perfect time. We need to make stuff happen. Thanks Jan!

Unknown said...

you're not old, you're NEW! ;)

BECKY said...

Hi Jan! I'm here from Robert Brault's blog. I just had to stop by, since you and I had the same thoughts about him! Isn't he something??

I love your blog! I totally agree on the aging thing, too. I don't like the changes going on with my body, skin, etc...but I sure don't want the alternative, as my sister used to say!

Suzanne said...

Hmmm. This post struck a cord because my mother is experiencing more aches and pains lately too. She's 88 and really in incredible health, but not feeling as well as she used to. It is important to enjoy each moment and pack in as much living as possible -- good advice!