From somewhere on the Internet—edited

 

by Pat Laster

 

~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. 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 and I are retired and some are beautifully gray. We move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than I am...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. Nowadays, taking a nap is mandatory!

And so...now some of us enter into this new season of our lives unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that we wish we had done but never did. But we have made our ‘bucket lists.’ There still may be time to do a few more things.

 At least we know, that though the winter has come, we’re not sure how long it will last...this we know, that when it's over on this earth...it’s over. A new adventure begins!

Yes, we have regrets. There are things we wish we hadn't done...things we should have done, but indeed, there are many things we’re happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime.

If you're not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. Whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long!! Life goes by in a hurry. 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 come after. Make it a fantastic one Remember "It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.

Amen and amen.