Lenette and I appear to be lucky ones, or how else to explain our physical, mental and emotional state? Living in a senior environment and witnessing a population of older people is a whole new experience for us. It is coming on to 3 years that we have lived here, so seeing the changes in individuals has become more apparent.
We see our friends and acquaintances walking upright one day and using a walker the next. We see them using aids such as canes and wheelchairs. We see and hear of one or two being taken by 911 to the hospital, living on oxygen, or simply looking older than the day before—or never seeing them again. It is an unavoidable day-to-day reality in our senior environment. And, if wise, it is “day-to-day.”
It will come to us in time. And when is that time? We do not know or worry about it and do not give in or up to what we realize is inevitable. We will get there soon enough, which does not overly concern us or interfere with our continuing to live as best we can. So, we read, write, exercise, enjoy a good meal with good friends, and let each day unfold.
Another observation about us is that we live in the present. The past exists as a file of memories to visit now and then, but we do not live in the past or the future. More and more, it is just day to day. But there are special times too, and that is when we have visitors from our past. It is marvelous to be with people we consider family, and how wonderful we have so many!
Another remarkable occurrence is what we learn about our past from those we shared it with. In fact, we hear and learn of events we were part of but were so involved with what was going on that we had no idea what was unfolding at that time. Apparently, just doing our thing!
Sy
