July 1st already and half the year is gone.
Growing older is certainly an adventure and we can look at it as a good adventure or a very bad one.
“There is a fountain of youth:
it is your mind, your talent;
the creativity you bring to your life
and the lives of people you love.
When you learn to tap this source, you will truly
have defeated age.”
Sophia Loren, Actress 1934 –
There are surprises aplenty as our bodies change and we can fight against it or accept it. Personally, I fight against my skin getting older by slathering it with moisturiser etc. and attempt to keep my body in some shape with some light and light-hearted exercise. But for some people, this ageing process is not good and sometimes we are surprised by what actually happens.
Two weeks ago (June 17) I wrote about a friend in trouble. Well, that friend is once again in trouble and this time it is quite serious. She has trouble breathing and has recently been diagnosed with cancer. The breathing is very bad and on Wednesday when another friend called in for coffee, he was met with the comment “We have to go to A&E now”. So my friend is now once again, in the General Hospital where she will stay for the next few days while they get her back to as close to normal as possible. Added to her list o woes is the fact that she tested positive for Covid yesterday. How unfair life is at times.
The surprise? There are several as we age. I am surprised that I can no longer walk the distances I used to, other friends can no longer drive, and others have trouble making themselves understood. In each case, we have been surprised that the changes ere quite sudden.
And my friend in the hospital? I am surprised at how quickly her health and ability have deteriorated. A week ago we were talking and laughing as usual; today she is a little old lady considering selling her villa in the retirement community and replacing it with a serviced apartment with all the care she could need.
I don’t know how to end this diatribe except to say,
“Friendship is a rainbow
between two hearts“
Judith Baxter
A World Apart 
Reblogged this on I choose how I will spend the rest of my life.
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It is as you say always something we don’t prepare for because we can’t. So many of my friends have suddenly become very ill and died. People who had, you would have thought, so much life in them. I think about this all the time, yet am totally unprepared
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But as you say we don’t know how to prepare for this. With that particular friend two weeks ago she was normal but now she is rapidly going down hill. We just have to keep doing what we can to maintain what we have
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So sorry about your friend.
That is so sad.
And, quite scary for us “oldies”.
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Yes granny it is sad but we have to look on the other side and notice all the good things that we have as we age
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Like Basia and Granny, a daunting time. Your friend is fortunate she has you. I have reposted this to Bridgesburning
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Thanks Chris as we have said before that’s what friendship is all about.
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I’m so sorry to hear your friend is not well. Things can change so quickly which is why we need to live life as much as possible while we can. Keep smiling!
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Thanks Darlene. The post was written at the end of a long tiring day but today I’m back to my usual self and can see that there are still many adventures to be had.
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You are a great example of living life to the fullest. xo
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I am so sorry to hear this. Your post has me reflecting on many of our own surprises that we can’t prepare for.
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Thanks Coleen. The post was written at the end of a long tiring day. I woke up today feeling quite different about aging and recognising how many good things they were still to come.
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Sometimes we just have to go through it all don’t we?
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Unfortunately, yes
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Catching up on my things now after a couple of days concentrating on my friend. If I’ve already responded to this comment apologies. And yes, we are often caught by surprise out what is happening to us as we age
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Ah..growing old has its mercies..but also its regrets…would that one could drink from Ponce de León’s fountain of youth..I’m sure I would not let so many chances slip by…
If only..:
Would my wit be a sage much wiser.
Would my courage be somewhat bolder.
Would that time could take me back yonder,
To de León’s youthful fountain mythical . . .
There in a blush of delight so typical,
Would I and thee..as Adam and Eve,
As those children in the garden of Ede’,
Brighten our eyes to that first sight,
Of a new dawn rising over the mountain’s height.
If only. . .
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Wow! But was Ponce de Leon searching for the Fountain of youth or was he looking for ways to a mess of Fortune? We will never know.
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I suspect the discovery of the one would swiftly facilitate the gaining of the other…
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No doubt!
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I agree that old age brings things I did not expect. I am sorry about your friend. We should appreciate to good days while we have them. Tomorrow it could be us.
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I think at this stage we are aware, or should be aware, of how lucky we are. You lost a sister as did I and next time as you say it could be us
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