Winter

[War Eagle River]

AND THEN IT IS WINTER 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. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. 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 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 getting grey...they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse 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 on this earth...it's NOT over. A new adventure will begin!

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 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! HAVE A GREAT DAY!

REMEMBER:....
"It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.
"LIVE HAPPY IN THIS YEAR AND EVERY YEAR!

LASTLY, CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:
TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU'VE EVER BEEN, YET THE YOUNGEST YOU'LL EVER BE SO - ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS.
~Your kids are becoming you.......
~Going out is good.. Coming home is better!
~You forget names.... But it's OK because other people forgot they even knew you!!!
~You realize you're never going to be really good at anything
~The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that you don't care to do them anymore.
~You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than in bed. It's called "pre-sleep".
~You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" switch..
~You tend to use more 4 letter words ... "what?"..."when?"... "what?" . ???
~Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it's not safe to wear it anywhere.
~You notice everything they sell in stores is "sleeveless"?!!!
~What used to be freckles are now liver spots.
~Everybody whispers.
~You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet.... 2 of which you will never wear.
~But Old is good in some things: Old Songs, Old movies, and best of all, OLD FRIENDS!!

Stay well, "OLD FRIEND!" Send this on to other "Old Friends!" and let them laugh in AGREEMENT!!!
It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived.

[4424ever]

Here Here. Very well put the problem is I can relate 100% although I still consider naps a treat

[slowshoes]

Nice post Scott - I'm no spring chicken myself. Bill

[MnFordGuy]

Very well put....I try to remind my self that old age and wisdom always out does youth and skill. I also tell my son to cross me up, because at my age a life sentence isn’t that long . But tonite I’m not sure if I can get out of my chair....I had to walk the park 3 times cause I lost my phone....which by the way was on the seat of my truck.

[Pappy]

Getting old ain't for sissies.

[steeveew]

[Ragtopman]

Well said!

[slothead]

Let's not forget Old Cars! I bought and drove a '69 Cougar back in the day, Mercury's version of the Mustang. Loved it and still think about the feeling of having it. Also been wondering if there's anything available today that would jazz me up in the same way. Dare I consider dipping into a retirement account for one more toy while I can still enjoy it? (By the way, this wouldn't mean being broke afterwards. Nothing like in the movie 'Lost in America'. )

[Barc 1]

Yes, it has not escaped me that I see 1958 Chevs that look like they are new. Not so much for this 1958 human.

Depending on the car, and it’s state of restoration, it could be considered an appreciating asset. I sure would not by a car to restore it as they are a money pit. However, buy a good restoration, enjoy it and then sell it as time moves on. Then the funds required are not gone, but just redistributed until later.

[Broman62]

EXCELLENT and SOOOOOOOOOO TRUE

[Barc 1]

Great post, and I agree with all you say. The biggest reality for me was life showing me 60 is just not another number. Things start happening that you don’t factor in as you look forward to retirement.Shoulders hurt, knees don’t bend so readily, and a bladder that used to be good for 8 hrs, isn’t

[arroldn]

Amen on the 8 hour bladder. Where did it go?????

[War Eagle River]

Bladder moved out, 15 minute bladder moved in!

[Barc 1]

My kids ask me why I get up so early when I am retired. You guys know the answer to that, LOL.

[ccobra]

And don't forget the enjoyment of when the doctor jokes around while using that nail gun to get tissue samples of the ol' prostate.

[RichD]

I can relate to War Eagle Winter's post, I am 73 and certainly past my prime. If I had known that I would live so long I would have taken better care of myself.
With respect to 1:1 cars my first new car was a 1967 Firebird 326, the car had the HD suspension option, but the drum brakes were nearly useless over 60 MPH. For that reason I bought a Firebird Formula 400 with Ram Air IV when I got out of the Army in 1970. I drove that car until 1987 when I sold it for more than the original price. My newest car is a 2014 Corvette.
Cars have changed a lot over the years. Even an entry level family sedan would outperform most of the cars available 50 years ago. Cars have also become far more sophisticated, maybe too sophisticated in some cases. The latest cars have anti-lock brakes, traction control, adaptive cruise control, automatic braking, automatic lane following and many other computer controlled safety features. A few cars are starting to be self driving to a limited extent. A fellow racer, who is an instructor for a Porsche club, has commented that the new cars are so good that they are no longer as much fun to drive.