Thursday 4 March 2010

Never Too Late


Believe it or not I have had a hard time coming to terms with getting older. I know that I am blessed with health and strength but since turning 70 in 2008 I have struggled with this issue. I know that my time is in God's hands and that my life has been full and rewarding but I have become so aware of how quickly time passes and that there is not a thing we can do about this. Interestingly I had a hard time facing 50 but sailed through facing 60 without a thought. Maybe 80 will be fine!!



Time passing gives one a greater sense of living in the now and appreciating each moment but I am having to learn acceptance of what is, too. There is so much to be grateful for, family, friends and the blessing of faith amongst them. I don't know what new activities are still to come my way but here are a few from recent years.





Learning to sail at 60


Interestingly I was the only one in that lesson that managed to tack across the current and wind and make my way between two pontoons successfully




My first attempts at Archery at 60





Not forgetting sledging down my road at 70


I had my first riding lessons at 42 but have no photos to prove it


and in my mid-fifties studied Psychology at degree level


Clambering up and down and under and over the assault courses with Oliver in the park has now become a norm


So........... what's next? No, I will not learn to play golf - that's hubby's department


let's wait and see!


I had the following piece of writing given to me on my 70th birthday by a friend who knew of my struggle. It was stitched in fine silk on silk and aptly says:


LIFE'S CLOCK


The clock of life is wound but once,
And no man has the power
To tell just where the hands will stop
At late or early hour.
To lose one's wealth is sad indeed,
To lose one's health is more,
To lose one's soul is such a loss,
As no man can restore.
The present only is our own
Live, love, toil with a will-
Place no faith in tomorrow - for
The clock may then be still.


25 comments:

Deanna said...

You go girl!!!!

Lovely poem.
d

A Brit in Tennessee said...

A lovely thought provoking post.
A reminder indeed it is never too late.
I'm impressed with all the new activities you've taken on, and looking forward to reading about the next bucket list !

Schnitzel and the Trout said...

I love this, Barbara! I can understand how sometimes, I just stop and think about my age and wonder how many more good years are ahead. You are, as we say in the USA, "one gutsy woman". You have tried many challenges in your adulthood and hasn't it been fun? There are many things I still wish to do also. I want to travel to Africa with my best friend from childhood, I want to cruise to the Greek Isles, I want to attend the college graduations and weddings of my grandchildren. Not too complicated, but my fate and health is in God's hands, and I am a willing participant. And, wouldn't it be lovely to publish your own book? ;)

talesfromagarden said...

You go girl Barbara!! Great pics especially of you sledging down the hill in the snow!I guess the secret is not to think too much about the aging process once you are able to get up in the morning and function for the day.If you keep up your many hobbies and activities and maintain your interest in friends and family the rest should take care of itself, say I at the ripe old age of 57!
Lovely poem too very wise.

Bernideen said...

YOU GO GIRL! You look great the keep enjoying life - you will be here for a long time with attitudes like you have! I feel the same way- it takes getting older to realize how quickly it goes - like a vapor. I am now 61 and plan to enjoy every day!!!

Anonymous said...

To live is the most glorious adventure of all- Peter Pan film. :-)

May you have many more adventures and new things to schieve.

Nancie said...

Hi Barbara,

Wow, it's very encouraging to read of the productive and active life you are living at 70! Thank God for giving you good health and strength. Such a blessing from God! May you continue to find much joy and strength as you walk with our Lord daily! Thanks for your visit and encouragements. I love the poem you shared! You are so creative and you can write so beautifully! Take care and God bless you abundantly!

With love in Christ,
Nancie

Willow said...

I am turning 60 this month! My friend encouraged me to 'embrace it', so I'm attempting to do that. Should I learn to sail this year???

Needled Mom said...

It is a perfect poem! So true, as well!!!

Certain ages do seem to have a bigger impact on our minds than others. I think 80 will be tough for me and I don't know why.

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I think it is hard for all of us as the years roll by, but you certainly seem to making the most of them. That is the way to go for sure. I'm not as adventuresome as you are but I never quit learning something new.Every day brings new delights and I try to live them to the fullest. Age does make you fully aware of being present in the moment.

Elizabethd said...

Like you, I am struggling with this age. I know that my life is mapped out for me. I know that God has a plan for me. But I didnt realise it would be so hard physically.

Tracy Golightly-Garcia said...

Barbara

I feel one is never to old to learn or do new things. I received my history degree December of 2008 at the age of 45. I hope to start my master program next year. I did feel like the "old Lady in class, but it was a great time and it was nice when students asked me questions.

The students in my Statistics Class thought I was crazy because I could not use a scientific calculator. I told them when I was in school all we had were regular calculators!

Learning to sew is also on my list-once I buy a sewing machine. :)
I love your pictures and poem and yes I agree with your quote-"Never too Late"

Best
Tracy :)

Anonymous said...

You are an inspiration.

I will turn 56 this year and dreading it, but after reading your post it has me thinking about what I have to look forward to if I wanted too and not look back and what I have missed.


Thank you so much for making me think more about the good things yet to come.

Willow

Balisha said...

Hi Barbara,
I am the same age. Very active and came back from brain surgery last Sept. Looking forward to gardening this Spring.
Here's to the 70's!!
Balisha

Barb said...

Hi Barbara,

You are a young one. It shows in your spirit. Love the post.
You just keep going till it is time to go Home. God has much more for you to do here.

Big hugs,
Barb

Jill said...

I am 47 and lacking a mother or grandmother or older sister, I am always on the look out for older women who take growing older by the horns and show me how to do it right. I love this post!

zetor said...

Great post. You are an inspiration1 Thankyou for your comment about Smokey.

duopastorale said...

You are so blessed!!

La Petite Gallery said...

I can connect with you on ageing.
I used to wake up in 3rd gear.
To day I stayed in my PJ's and only got dressed to walk my dog. It's the clock winding down. I can
really feel it at 74. I wish I could do what I used to.

Great post as always,


yvonne

A Busy Single Mom said...

Thank you for a very inspiring post and a good reminder that all we truly have is the present.

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

You simply amaze me.. You go girl!! You are so full of life and energy and my hero. I pray when I hit 70 I'm as young acting as well as adventurous as you are!! Great post my friend... hugs ~lynne~

Charm and Grace said...

Barbara, you amaze me with all that you do. I never think of your age when I read your posts. I just think what a vibrant person you are and of your strong witness for Christ. God is using you in powerful ways and will continue to do so. Therefore, age is really just a number (I am talking to myself on this one, too, as I just turned halfway to 90.) God has given you tremendous gifts, and you have brought Him glory through them. I am glad that He brought me to your blog so that I can be encouraged.

Blessings,
Christi

nikkipolani said...

I loved reading about your perspective about aging. Oddly, it's something I'd never thought much about until very recently.

Anonymous said...

It was a treat to find someone else saying, "I'm struggling with this getting older bit (68 for me).

I am too but I never hear anyone else say it. Time is so short and some things I will probably not do anymore. BUT I know where my path is leading to and that brings peace. In the meantime one of my biggest joys is children, my many great nieces and nephewes, and reading. I still like exploring new things but physical challenges have never been for me. I plod, unfortunately. Mary H

Paula said...

Yeah, turning 50 was hard for me. Getting older is weird because inside you still feel and think like your 21, but the lines on your face tell a different story.
You can do anything you set your mind to Barbara, you are truly an inspiration. I love the hat you knitted. I love the ones with ear flaps. I think they also call them Chullos.