Winter

by Tom Damron
(Plano, Texas)

An anonymous wise man has said-- 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 well remember l 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. However, here it is.

My friends are retired and getting grey or their hair is gone, they 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.

Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day, and taking a nap is not a treat anymore, it's mandatory because if I don't on my own free will, I just fall asleep where I sit!

So now, I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did. At least I know, that though the winter has come, and I am not sure how long it will last, this I know that when it is over on this earth it is NOT over. A new adventure will begin!

Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I had not done. There are things I should have done. There are many things I am happy to have done. It is all in a lifetime. So, if you are not in your winter yet, let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life, please do it quickly! Do not put things off too long!

Life goes by quickly, so, 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. LIVE IT WELL! ENJOY TODAY! DO SOMETHING FUN! BE HAPPY! HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Keep in mind that it is not pieces of gold and silver, it is health that is real wealth.

Comments for Winter

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well said
by: Anonymous

wow!......can I copy this and hang this on my frig? wonderful advice and spot on!!! thank you, thank you, I needed this today!!!!!

Winter
by: Carol Earnest

So eloquently said. Right on target . Thank you for sharing.

Winter
by: Sherry/ NC

Thank you so much for your aging advice. You are a very smart man!!

Winter Season
by: Joe W.

Retirement life is not a single season. It's a potpourri of events and different schedules based on your own skills, interests, passions and purpose. Everyone living today is in the Winter season right now. But wait were just 10 days away from the Spring season which brings hope, dreams and new possibilities.

Joe W.

Thank you
by: Jeff

Wonderful advice, Tom. Thank you for passing on your your experience for us.

Good One Tom!
by: Wendy

WOW... so true!

I am trying to Live Life... have many regrets (worked too hard), now the experiences in my retired life are the most important!

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