[Dukman]

Received this today from a friend and while I don't usually copy and paste this sort of thing I found myself compelled to share it. Apologies if it has been posted before.

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 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 gray, 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...its 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 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!!

 

[Mark454]

Nice.
Think I will plan a motorcycle trip.

 

[Spirit]

Thanks for posting.

That's kind of where I've been for a few days now .. re thinking, re hashing, re gretting -and moving on to re vamping, re planning, re focusing and re juvenating!!

Life is good at all its varied stages. This one is just reminding me there aren't nearly so many stages left to cross and I better each one count.

 

[Dukman]

Agree Spirit. I know most of the young ones won't give this a second thought, exactly like I wouldn't have in my younger days. We'll be remembered how we touched others lives, not by what we did for ourselves. Do not wait to say something that needs to be said or do something that needs to be done.

 

[Trouthunter]

Life's a dance you learn as you go.

But at 55 the dance is a slow belt buckle polishing one, not a jitter bug or Cotton Eyed Joe

TH

 

[Tortuga]

Think it was Satchel Paige that said.....

"Don't look back.....Something may be gaining on you..."

 

[Bigj]

Makes you think about how many Bridges you crossed and burnt----I regret a few some I dont life is short. If I new I was going to live this long I dang well took better care of my body.

 

[redduck]

very true post

 

[RB II]

I don't feel like it is winter yet for me, but it is dang sure getting cooler every day. A few months ago, I spent a good bit of time going through old year books and other pictures and memorabilia through the years. I REALLY got into a funk for a few days until I remembered that I still had a LOT of life to live and it was time to get started. I think often about the past, but try not to dwell on it. Really nothing that can be done anyway. Move on.

 

[Walkin' Jack]

I've heard it said that it is far better to regret something you did that you wish you hadn't than to wish you had done something you never took the time to do. I think that, with maybe a few exceptions, I can agree with that. I can honestly say that all my regrets are for things I didn't do. I say this because even the things I did that at the time seem wrong, led to something good. All in all I don't think I did to badly.

Basically I think dwelling on regrets is a waste of time. And at this stage of the game (winter) time is much too precious a commodity to waste. I now try to focus on the present and the future and get the most I can out of every day.

So far so good .................

 

[4 Ever-Fish N]

I can really really relate to this. Great post! This should be required reading in high school and college.

 

[PiratesRun]

Old Guy's Rule. Let's go fishing!!

 

[Lezz Go]

Thanks for posting!