The Blessings of Age

I know it's happened to you, too. Well, at least, surely something similar. Yesterday, Steve and I hit an energetic "old people" moment and took to working in the yard. The weather has been so incredibly gorgeous the last few days.

At any rate, we spent the morning pulling up or pushing over dying shrubs and rose bushes. This was a project we had "discussed" many times over the last several months. And then the day finally came. Yesterday was THE day.

After wrestling the plants and loading the debris on the side-by-side, we decided to give the flower beds some love. They needed LOTS of love. By the time we completed the off-loading of the dead plants and weeds, we were pretty pleased but also—pretty whipped.

As we were riding back up to the barn where the truck was parked we laughed about how getting things like this done was just more time-consuming at this stage of life. Steve pulled up near to the truck and let me out so I could drive it back to the house. We finished our conversation and I began to walk away when Steve asked me a very important question.

"I know you are tired ... but why are you walking to the house?" As soon as the words came out of his mouth, he rolled his eyes and slapped his forehead. I laughed. And yes, it dawned on him then that I was getting out of the side-by-side to drive the truck back to the house.

Happens ALL OF THE TIME! A few weeks ago, I was standing at an elevator and took my key fob out of my purse and clicked it at the "UP" button on the elevator. I quickly looked around to see if anyone else had witnessed the event. Thank goodness I was alone. I stuffed the key back into my purse and pushed the button.

I think we have so many things swirling through our minds as we age that sometimes, as my mama used to say, "our wires get crossed," or we are distracted by the myraid of the things we are trying to do at one time.

Recently, I have caught myself saying, "who came up with the term the 'golden years'?" What a hoot! "Golden?" more like 'ashen' to me. I can't see, I can't hear, and my hair is falling out.

Yet, in spite of all of the "craziness" associated with this season of life, I am so grateful that our precious Jesus seems closer than ever. My eyes may see less clearly, my ears may hear "I love you" instead of "Where's the lemon juice?" and my memory may occasionally take an unscheduled vacation, but my spiritual vision has never been clearer.

I think I am finally beginning to understand a little about wisdom. After experiencing a good many years of life's joys, disappointments, triumphs, and heartaches, I am learning to distinguish between what seems important and what truly matters. Our physical bodies may be slowing down, but our wisdom, compassion, and faith can continue to grow.

Perhaps they're called the "golden years" because we've finally lived long enough to appreciate all of the blessings the good Lord has given us. And hopefully, with each passing day, we will become more enthusiastic about what is yet to come.

Now ... if I can only remember what I did with Steve's truck keys!