Entering The Youth of My Old Age
Happy birthday to me27 total reviews
Comment from patcelaw
Happy birthday Ingrid. I hope it is a wonder filled day for you. I love the story and the photo if you with the grandchildren. Here is my birthday gift to you
Across The Room
When you look across the room,
And see your grand children smile,
Why not stop everything,
Just to play with them a while?
For all too soon the years,
May take them to a distant place,
And many will be the days,
You'll long to see their face.
Don't let those precious years,
Slip by until they're grown,
To take some time to cherish them,
And make your love well known.
For as you strive to love them,
The way God wants you to,
You'll build such precious memories,
That they'll show their love to you.
(C)Patricia Lawrence
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2015
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Happy birthday Ingrid. I hope it is a wonder filled day for you. I love the story and the photo if you with the grandchildren. Here is my birthday gift to you
Across The Room
When you look across the room,
And see your grand children smile,
Why not stop everything,
Just to play with them a while?
For all too soon the years,
May take them to a distant place,
And many will be the days,
You'll long to see their face.
Don't let those precious years,
Slip by until they're grown,
To take some time to cherish them,
And make your love well known.
For as you strive to love them,
The way God wants you to,
You'll build such precious memories,
That they'll show their love to you.
(C)Patricia Lawrence
Comment Written 17-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2015
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A stunning poem, a valid reminder to enjoy the moments. Sincere thanks.
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You are welcome, I share that poem with all who talk about their grandchildren.. I wrote that poem 4 years after my girls were grown and away from home. it took 6 minutes to write and I have several versions. The original was children, but since I am the poet, I can change it like I want too.
Comment from Mark Valentine
What a great reflection, wonderfully written. I'm sure it will strike a chord with many od us in the youth of old age. Unfortunately, I have no wisdom to offer as I am not aging particularly gracefully myself. Whatever post 65 holds for you, I hope you'll keep writing. nice picure.
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2015
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What a great reflection, wonderfully written. I'm sure it will strike a chord with many od us in the youth of old age. Unfortunately, I have no wisdom to offer as I am not aging particularly gracefully myself. Whatever post 65 holds for you, I hope you'll keep writing. nice picure.
Comment Written 17-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2015
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Thank you very much. Personally, I'm not doing anything gracefully.
Comment from Sasha
I laughed all the way through this. You want advice, well, my dear, you've come to the right person. I plan to post a how to get old and survive just for you. I will be turning 70 in 8 months so I can relate to just about everything you said. Great work with this one. Now I have a post to write...hope you like it.
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2015
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I laughed all the way through this. You want advice, well, my dear, you've come to the right person. I plan to post a how to get old and survive just for you. I will be turning 70 in 8 months so I can relate to just about everything you said. Great work with this one. Now I have a post to write...hope you like it.
Comment Written 17-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2015
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Can't wait. Thanks.
Comment from Stacia Ann
Hi, Echo!
Thanks for sharing this: like the visual (great-looking kids; grandma's not bad either:) The title is also compelling: the beginning of "old age." I like the honesty of the voice, "the shrink's" assessment, and your own assessment that it IS you, not some outside force, that needs to change. Funny.
Also funny is the analysis of euphemisms like "frown lines." We have many ways to avoid talking about age in our culture:)
You clearly have nurtured some strong bonds in family and friends--not true of many writers who are more committed to the pen:)
This then takes a reflective turn after the beauty shop visits and celebrating, not really having seen "old age" coming--we're all like this, I suspect: mortality is inevitable, except for me, individually:)
I think we all also lack mentors in this, as you note--one for the simple reason that even today many don't survive into their old age; also, we don't speak about old age, illness, and death in our culture--they are taboo topics. And then, those who try to talk about it are ignored, most of the time. Very sad.
So your humble request for a guide is a powerful ending.
Thanks for sharing.
Stacia
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2015
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Hi, Echo!
Thanks for sharing this: like the visual (great-looking kids; grandma's not bad either:) The title is also compelling: the beginning of "old age." I like the honesty of the voice, "the shrink's" assessment, and your own assessment that it IS you, not some outside force, that needs to change. Funny.
Also funny is the analysis of euphemisms like "frown lines." We have many ways to avoid talking about age in our culture:)
You clearly have nurtured some strong bonds in family and friends--not true of many writers who are more committed to the pen:)
This then takes a reflective turn after the beauty shop visits and celebrating, not really having seen "old age" coming--we're all like this, I suspect: mortality is inevitable, except for me, individually:)
I think we all also lack mentors in this, as you note--one for the simple reason that even today many don't survive into their old age; also, we don't speak about old age, illness, and death in our culture--they are taboo topics. And then, those who try to talk about it are ignored, most of the time. Very sad.
So your humble request for a guide is a powerful ending.
Thanks for sharing.
Stacia
Comment Written 17-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2015
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I loved your response. You shared with me the reality of being grounded in the present, for whatever it is, rather than chase or avoid the past and future. Thanks for your generosity. And yes, you might live forever.
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Thanks for sharing the work:) Keep writing!
Comment from nancy_e_davis
You have a good 10 or 15 years left girl. Yes every B'day is a milestone but age is just a number and we can take it a day at a time. Don't worry Ingrid, it gets to the point you don't mind the wrinkles and my biggest fear is to try to look younger than my age. To me that is so silly. Enjoy who you are. Think positive and smile. Nancy
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2015
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You have a good 10 or 15 years left girl. Yes every B'day is a milestone but age is just a number and we can take it a day at a time. Don't worry Ingrid, it gets to the point you don't mind the wrinkles and my biggest fear is to try to look younger than my age. To me that is so silly. Enjoy who you are. Think positive and smile. Nancy
Comment Written 17-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2015
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You're sweet. A good recipe as long as I'm allowed to be cranky now and then. Thanks for reading.
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Sure why not. It's a safty valve. LOL
Comment from Michael Ludwinder
I don't know if you meant it to be funny but I laughed out loud when she asked if you wanted those ears exposed. I love the honesty in this. The natural way you speak with your reader. First, 65 isn't old - maybe it was 65 years ago - but not now. Second, your writing is not old. It's young and fun and just wonderfully entertaining.
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reply by the author on 17-Apr-2015
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I don't know if you meant it to be funny but I laughed out loud when she asked if you wanted those ears exposed. I love the honesty in this. The natural way you speak with your reader. First, 65 isn't old - maybe it was 65 years ago - but not now. Second, your writing is not old. It's young and fun and just wonderfully entertaining.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 17-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2015
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Self-deprecation was my intent and laughter was my goal. Lucky for you I didn't focus on body parts that have succumbed to gravity. I am known for the occasional lapse of judgement in that department. Thanks for the read and review.
Comment from Donald O. Cassidy
I'm a lot older than 65, and so I might offer some sage advice in a few ways.
First, though it's disconcerting, embarrassing and disgusting, with age I become more humble. Maybe the better expression is that I become more mature and honest in facing my frailties, goof ups, and shallow performances.
I think I'm trying to say taht after noble efforts, many courageous adventures and progressive learning, I continue to stumble and languish in mediocrity.
I think you engage some philosophical thoughts in summing up your subject of old age. From your previous chapters in a biographical series, you can take creit for many admirable advances. So, in your current sobriety and serious summing up, you can avoid any radical departure from noble goals and successes. You can feel good that maturity is not a stage for boasting and being smug, but humility to put it together for "the best is yet to be."
In my experience, I am blessed even amid the trials and embarrassments, knowing I came this far in being spared calamity despite the wrong turns. I truly believe I'm spared by God's grace, and even in a mediocre life, I give witness to Redemption. I was 88 years old yesterday, April 16. My son--my only child--treated me at a Chinese restaurant for my birthday. Who could ask for a better tribute?
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reply by the author on 17-Apr-2015
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I'm a lot older than 65, and so I might offer some sage advice in a few ways.
First, though it's disconcerting, embarrassing and disgusting, with age I become more humble. Maybe the better expression is that I become more mature and honest in facing my frailties, goof ups, and shallow performances.
I think I'm trying to say taht after noble efforts, many courageous adventures and progressive learning, I continue to stumble and languish in mediocrity.
I think you engage some philosophical thoughts in summing up your subject of old age. From your previous chapters in a biographical series, you can take creit for many admirable advances. So, in your current sobriety and serious summing up, you can avoid any radical departure from noble goals and successes. You can feel good that maturity is not a stage for boasting and being smug, but humility to put it together for "the best is yet to be."
In my experience, I am blessed even amid the trials and embarrassments, knowing I came this far in being spared calamity despite the wrong turns. I truly believe I'm spared by God's grace, and even in a mediocre life, I give witness to Redemption. I was 88 years old yesterday, April 16. My son--my only child--treated me at a Chinese restaurant for my birthday. Who could ask for a better tribute?
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 17-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2015
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That's so nice. Just being with people we care about makes the day perfect. So, now God willing, we both live another year, I shall always remember your birthday as falling on the heels of my own.
Humility in life is very easy for me, as I do live with gratitude, but being a door mat angers me, and sometimes older folks are looked through rather than at. Happy belated Birthday.
