Life Is Short, So Enjoy It
The news just came that my next door neighbor passed away.
He was ill for only a short time; and, I'm told, the end came quickly and peacefully.
We have been living near to each other for a number of years, but we were not close just neighbors.
A friendly hello when we bumped into each other, a casual wave as our cars passed each other on the street and a phone call to the other one whenever we planned to be away on vacation was the extent of our contact.
Yet we had a mutual concern and responsibility to be sure everything was okay with each other.
I'd call that neighborly.
Events like thisgive me cause to think about my own mortality.
The fifth anniversary of my mother's death is almost here, and my dad's is in a couple of months (they died within three months of each other after being together seventy-five years).
There have been a couple of health concerns for both my wife and me (nothings serious the doctors say, but let's keep an eye on them).
Several friends have been diagnosed with life-threatening issues.
And, I have a birthday coming up.
Any of these things could knock me off the track if I looked at the negative rather than the positive side of life.
I am still very much alive.
The prospects look good for a long life, since both mu parents lived into their nineties.
My wife's health problem has been handled with surgery and my health problems simply require monitoring for now.
The friends who have more pressing issues are dealing with them rather than burying their heads in the sand, so their conditions are in the hands of the medical experts.
As for my birthday, it's just another day, but it is a good reminder to be grateful for the wonderful life I had to date.
It's a good time to count my blessings, past and present as well as enjoy the moment.
A friend is visiting us from Atlanta.
Other friends are coming over for dinner tonight.
My granddaughter's first soccer game of the year is tomorrow.
So is my grandson's but I'll miss that one and watch him play winter league baseball on Sunday.
The newest grandbaby is visiting us later in the afternoon.
And I'll get to watch my favorite football team later that night, because I'm recording it before going to the baseball game.
How good is that? But there's a lot more to be grateful about than a weekend of pure self-indulgence for me.
I get to be of service everyday to my family, friends, community and the entire population of New Seniors - well at least those who log on to NewSeniors.
com.
I learn from everyone I come in contact with, everything I read and everything I observe.
Since founding this online magazine, I've been exposed to more information and opinions than I dreamed possible.
This has reawakened a sense of intellectual curiosity in me that seems unquenchable.
The desire to do more personally and try to encourage others 65+ to see how they can make a difference at home in their neighborhoods and beyond.
We have much to offer: our experience, strength and hope.
And by giving, we get more in return.
Yes, life is short but it can be sweet.
He was ill for only a short time; and, I'm told, the end came quickly and peacefully.
We have been living near to each other for a number of years, but we were not close just neighbors.
A friendly hello when we bumped into each other, a casual wave as our cars passed each other on the street and a phone call to the other one whenever we planned to be away on vacation was the extent of our contact.
Yet we had a mutual concern and responsibility to be sure everything was okay with each other.
I'd call that neighborly.
Events like thisgive me cause to think about my own mortality.
The fifth anniversary of my mother's death is almost here, and my dad's is in a couple of months (they died within three months of each other after being together seventy-five years).
There have been a couple of health concerns for both my wife and me (nothings serious the doctors say, but let's keep an eye on them).
Several friends have been diagnosed with life-threatening issues.
And, I have a birthday coming up.
Any of these things could knock me off the track if I looked at the negative rather than the positive side of life.
I am still very much alive.
The prospects look good for a long life, since both mu parents lived into their nineties.
My wife's health problem has been handled with surgery and my health problems simply require monitoring for now.
The friends who have more pressing issues are dealing with them rather than burying their heads in the sand, so their conditions are in the hands of the medical experts.
As for my birthday, it's just another day, but it is a good reminder to be grateful for the wonderful life I had to date.
It's a good time to count my blessings, past and present as well as enjoy the moment.
A friend is visiting us from Atlanta.
Other friends are coming over for dinner tonight.
My granddaughter's first soccer game of the year is tomorrow.
So is my grandson's but I'll miss that one and watch him play winter league baseball on Sunday.
The newest grandbaby is visiting us later in the afternoon.
And I'll get to watch my favorite football team later that night, because I'm recording it before going to the baseball game.
How good is that? But there's a lot more to be grateful about than a weekend of pure self-indulgence for me.
I get to be of service everyday to my family, friends, community and the entire population of New Seniors - well at least those who log on to NewSeniors.
com.
I learn from everyone I come in contact with, everything I read and everything I observe.
Since founding this online magazine, I've been exposed to more information and opinions than I dreamed possible.
This has reawakened a sense of intellectual curiosity in me that seems unquenchable.
The desire to do more personally and try to encourage others 65+ to see how they can make a difference at home in their neighborhoods and beyond.
We have much to offer: our experience, strength and hope.
And by giving, we get more in return.
Yes, life is short but it can be sweet.
