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 almost
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 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
that I 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, what ever 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 have come after. Make it a fantastic one.