Is your journey through 'old age' a mystery to you? How do you deal with that?

Life is a mystery from start to finish and beyond. I don't object to mystery though I try not to make up or insert any where it doesn't seem to already be.

Of course all the cells of our body are replaced, some more frequently than others. And yet we all still call the result "me". It is kind of mysterious.
 

Georgiagranny said:
Seriously? Manage? Life only ends one way! I'm certainly not sitting around contemplating my demise. Geez. Got stuff to do, a job to go to, a special-needs kitty to look after, a garden to plant.
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This is fine. And, when I too had a job to go to, was caring for another, and busy carrying on day to day activity life just rolled along. But, now it is different. I no longer must work (a blessing). Care giving has finished for me (a blessing). And, now life is occupied with just day to day living. So, this means only that one day follows the next with pretty much the same thing. Is that what old age means? Or does it have some other promise or aspiration?

I saw two parents living the same. Retirement does not mean old age. They were energetic and occupied during early retirement beginning at 60. But, it all petered out and they gradually declined to their ends. Is that it? Is that how it is supposed to go? Will it be different for you? How? That's my question.
 
Remy said:
I think it's a good question actually.

It's so varied. Depends on many things I guess. Health status, family, support, finances.

So far my over 60 isn't going so good and sure not what I had planned.
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Actually my over 60 did not begin well either. I retired at 61 to care for my elderly mom and was immediately diagnosed with cataracts. The doctor said the cataracts must 'mature' before being removed. So, I gradually had to go blind for four years until they were finally removed. Now, mom has passed and I am free. Free to do what, I wonder. I don't have an answer to my wondering.
 

That question can not be answered. We never know how life is going to be. It is different than when we were young. We had many challenges and disappointments, now those same things have a whole new set of demands. We learn to adjust as best we can. I am finding that being alive now is a quite interesting period in history. Just like when we were younger, we are actively just trying to stay alive, and take part in this mysterious phenomena we call life.

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Wes said:
Free to do what, I wonder. I don't have an answer to my wondering.
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I'd say look for events in your area... there are all kinds of events big and small. If you're small town, look in the next town. Is church family an option? There are always tons of events there. Look for bus tour schedules. See what your senior center has available for activities. A book club. Just don't get the mindset that people of a certain age need to stay in the rocking chair... often they don't bother getting out of it. I guess the bottom line to "what's next?" is that it's not going to come up and bite us... we need to go looking for it... and always have something to look forward to, no matter how small.
 

Is your journey through 'old age' a mystery to you? How do you deal with that?​


Been living on borrowed time for a very long while

Each day is a prize

I'm with Emerson;
“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.”

As far as what comes?
My Lord has that covered
 
Old age is less a mystery to me than many other phases of life. My parents, in-laws and their friends were long-lived, so while I wasn't actively taking notes, I certainly noticed their life changes.

Between my husband, roughly 15 close friends within a couple of years of my age, and this forum, opportunities abound to learn about - and sometimes commiserate, sometimes enjoy - life and body changes due to advanced years.

I stay busy and keep a positive attitude. Folks try my patience when they wallow in self-pity, resentment or grumpiness over poor choices they made earlier in life or abilities they've lost to aging.

We all had our turn at being young. Not everyone gets a turn at being old.
 
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Wow this is an intense question. As most here know my life has been coping with lots of death and loss of friends and family so I don't dwell on death or its inevitability. Maybe I live my life more fully because of all the deaths I've experienced? By living life and enjoying it everyday as much as you can, you may find yourself thinking more about life and how joyful it can be. Maybe my death won't be horrible but I'll be doing something wonderful and never know what hit me? Maybe there will be a cure for death? You never know. I'm young as far as seniors go.

I'm sorry if I'm missing some point here and you are seriously suffering. Hugs.

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i'm supposed to show up each morning, the boy dog demands it !!!

So I just show up. That's how I handle it.
And go from there, usually without a plan ... much ... well, after Mason has breakfast and exercises (not necessarily in that order)

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Woke up 4:50am. Dressed. Tossed gear in Forester. Secured residence. 5:23am Thursday drove off in dark.

After 165 miles, 8:45am arrived ski resort, parked. Went into ticket office and spent 15 minutes going through involved process filling out information. They gave me a free season pass electronically embedded chip sensor card for being over 75 I need to ride ski lifts.

Went back to car, put on clothes and gear, secured car, grabbed skis, and walked to ski lift.

Skied 3 short runs in front of main lodge recording with GoPro my show off turns in 8 inches of powder snow. Skied a bunch more.

Went back to Forester and ate a blueberry muffin and some chocolate for lunch. Put away GoPro and replaced it with a Cannon ELPH190. Skied bunch more in cloudy flat light with light snow falling at times and took photos of my show off turns.

Went back to car at 3:30pm, put away gear, drove off at 3:57pm. Felt sleepy driving 165 miles. Left a bunch of food crumbs on car seat. Arrived home 7:05pm.

Made 5 trips from carport to door carrying gear back into residence. Turned on 4 lights. Emptied out gear. Took long hot shower. Got into bed. Went to sleep 4.5 hours and just woke up near 1am Friday. Turned off 4 lights and will go back to sleep now after answering your question that ought be totally useless to you.

Life is short, precious, enjoy it. No one gets out of here alive, with non existence sad eternity much longer.
 
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Wes said:
As a child until 18 my parents guided me through that period of my life. As an adult much was written and discussed everywhere about what life is and should be lived. But, except for doctors and the medical profession, there does not seem much guidance on how to get through old age. How do you manage your experience? Just wing it? Or do you find some sort of guide? Youth and adulthood flowed toward something and beyond that. But, old age ends only one way. How do you manage knowing that this stage ends only one way? What perspectives do you marry yourself to as your life before you rolls towards its end?
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Since I know that this life ends I try to manage my health so I can enjoy life and family as long as possible

The guide came from working with seniors and elderly for many years and listening to their advice and wisdom.

My perspective is that I got here by many roads and I avoided death by grace and luck, so I'm meant to be here.

I get up early, open up all my blinds and curtains, exercise, make my bed, eat, get dressed, and then Carpe Diem!

Each day is a gift and I'm grateful.
 
No mystery for me. I spent a good part of my life being with the old timers in my area, people who worked a job by day then ran a farm or second business in the evenings, very independent and resourceful people. Over the years I watched those hard working people retire from jobs and slowly loose their strength and stamina, deal with infirmities and illness, and become dependant on others. Very humbling.

I am now one of the old timers and recognize my future has one path.
 
Life got a lot easier when I realized I could not be in charge of everything. $hit happens! Deal with it and move on.

Perfect is often unattainable. Learn to Be satisfied with good enough.

Happy is fleeting and often is in someone else’s hands. Aim for contentment. It’s mostly self-made.

Anything is eatable with the addition of either chocolate, ranch dressing or sirachi.
 
Just ask the Forum, get some diversification to think about too.
Sip my first cup of coffee while I wait.
Then by midway through the 2nd cup someone usually answered.

Now I am armed with some of the most Woke knowledge there is for the rest of the day.
Let the third cup go cold mid day. ..... :ROFLMAO:
I am now armed with some of the most overstitches liberalism there can be. ..... (y)

Get some of the Best Comedy is better than Laudanum.
Now having been offered some of the worlds best knowledge
I can carry on with the last half of the day forewarned but ready to make my best decisions.

I then turn on some Starz movie about total mayhem & open the cap of a cold bottle of water.
Snowball decides to make dinner or reheat leftovers in the microwave. I again turn to the forum.
 
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Most days I would rather not exist, this is the only solution for freedom. Death is a natural state of being that the living cannot access, but it is there. watching Rael the last prophet who speaks to aliens. The Elhem are alien gods. Invited to the table of great prophets. He is Jesus brother
 
chic said:
I'm sorry if I'm missing some point here and you are seriously suffering. Hugs.
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No am not seriously 'suffering'. Actually more like coming out of the suffering of grief for a loved one passed. And, now wondering where for from here? I thought I would ask others in old age for their perspective and answer they chose to follow. SF is the best place for this, I think. I used to love being around the old folks. They always seemed to have the answers. But, now I am the old folk. Not sure I have the answer.
 
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Wes said:
No am not seriously 'suffering'. Actually more like coming out of the suffering of grief for a loved one passed. And, now wondering where for from here? I thought I would ask others in old age for their perspective and answer they chose to follow. SF is the best place for this, I think. I used to love being around the old folks. They always seemed to have the answers. But, now I am the old folk. Not sure I have the answer.
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I think losing a loved one is serious suffering. It's certainly grief and helps me to understand what you said and why. My condolences.

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chic said:
...coming out ot the suffering of grief for a loved one passed. And wondering where to go from here?
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Annie has a thought as to where you go from here.
For some it's the only way. For others it's both that and also faith.

"Tomorrow is only a day away.
Just thinking about tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs, and the sorrow 'til there's none
When I'm stuck with a day that's gray and lonely
I just stick out my chin, and grin, and say,
The sun'll come out tomorrow
You gotta hang on 'til tomorrow, come what may
Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you, tomorrow
You're always a day away"

I know it's hard. I don't mean to sound trite with this simple song.
 
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Lara said:
Annie has a thought as to where you go from here.
For some it's the only way. For others it's both that and also faith.

"Tomorrow is only a day away.
Just thinking about tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs, and the sorrow 'til there's none
When I'm stuck with a day that's gray and lonely
I just stick out my chin, and grin, and say,
The sun'll come out tomorrow
You gotta hang on 'til tomorrow, come what may
Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you, tomorrow
You're always a day away"

I know it's hard. I don't mean to sound trite with this simple song.
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Thank you for printing out those lyrics. They're words to live by, especially at this point in our lives.
 

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