This year has been one that has caused me to reflect on who I am, on what I am doing and on what life is really about. Life is very fragile. It can be gone in a minute. Yet, life is wonderful. Life is fun, adventurous and a huge learning experience. Sometimes the painful periods definitely out way the good, but when the good things come, they are very, very good and sweet. I know it is true when the scriptures teach us that there is opposition in all things.
This year I have seen my son suffer, I have suffered, I have seen my closest friend worry and pray over her husband when he was diagnosed with cancer, I have seen marriages fail, businesses fail, friendships fail, people cry and struggle. But I have also seen celebrations of returned health,celebrations for small miracles, marriages come together, friendships bloom and I have seen people find inner strength that they never knew they had. I think the moment all these thoughts came together, creating the new me, was this year on my father's 80th birthday. My father has always been young. He is even very young for 80, but this year I began to notice that even him, the man that has been our strength, is feeling the weaknesses of age. As I watched my sons help him put up his Christmas lights, I thought about the circle of life and how we truly end up helping and taking care of those who took care of us in our youth. Even now, my father takes care of us. My brother has had a very difficult year and my father has been by his side every moment. However, this year is different than the past for we have had to help him along his way. It may just be doing the Christmas lights, hanging a picture or fixing his garage door for him, but it has been help. It is help that wasn't needed years ago. But help that is gladly given. Each night I pray that my parents lives' will be extended. I am not ready for them to be in their later years. I hate hearing about their friends that have died, they are my friends' parents. I know it will be my turn to loose them someday, for it is the cycle of life. I just hope and pray it is later than sooner. It is hard to watch your parents age. I don't care who you are or how old you are. Parent are parents and that change is difficult to swallow.
Here are some pictures of my children with their grandparents. What treasured photos and memories they bring.
This year I have seen my son suffer, I have suffered, I have seen my closest friend worry and pray over her husband when he was diagnosed with cancer, I have seen marriages fail, businesses fail, friendships fail, people cry and struggle. But I have also seen celebrations of returned health,celebrations for small miracles, marriages come together, friendships bloom and I have seen people find inner strength that they never knew they had. I think the moment all these thoughts came together, creating the new me, was this year on my father's 80th birthday. My father has always been young. He is even very young for 80, but this year I began to notice that even him, the man that has been our strength, is feeling the weaknesses of age. As I watched my sons help him put up his Christmas lights, I thought about the circle of life and how we truly end up helping and taking care of those who took care of us in our youth. Even now, my father takes care of us. My brother has had a very difficult year and my father has been by his side every moment. However, this year is different than the past for we have had to help him along his way. It may just be doing the Christmas lights, hanging a picture or fixing his garage door for him, but it has been help. It is help that wasn't needed years ago. But help that is gladly given. Each night I pray that my parents lives' will be extended. I am not ready for them to be in their later years. I hate hearing about their friends that have died, they are my friends' parents. I know it will be my turn to loose them someday, for it is the cycle of life. I just hope and pray it is later than sooner. It is hard to watch your parents age. I don't care who you are or how old you are. Parent are parents and that change is difficult to swallow.
Here are some pictures of my children with their grandparents. What treasured photos and memories they bring.
Comments
I am right there with the aging parents. I forget how old they really are as I watch my almost 79 yr old dad climb up and down the ladder cleaning my rain gutter, or expect my 74 yr oldd mom to help me watch Tate. Prayering the blessing of health for both our parents.
We loved seeing you last night at another event that is part of the circle of life. Seeing our young women marry and have families of their own. This is a beautiful life. I love it! I am so thankful for the experience....You are my friend!!!
Yes, we are older and our bodies know it but somehow our minds don't.
p.s. Couldn't you have found an uglier picture of me?