Another great think piece. I would take these last years over my youth due to the sheer stupidity that flowed out of me when I was young. That being said, old age is loss of love. We've all lost so many others, it's hard to bear at time. Life is rough, any way you take it, but blessed are those who cling to God.
Thank you, dear Joan, for your wonderul comment on my latest writing piece. Indeed, watching those we love, die and we are still here…that is one of the primal things of getting older. I am the last surviving member of my immediate family. I have some dear cousins still, but no one close to me in location. God is our utlimate CLING and no way I will ever let go again! I learned my painful lesson. God bless and keep you, Joan. Wendy
we have had some crazy experiences though, once we went to a party (we were in our 20's) and the entire house reeked of pot. Just being in that house we were greatly affected by the air. when we left (it was winter) we sat on some freezing cold steps on a path and tried to sort ourselves out realizing we were high on pot.
Rosemary, you are your dear husband did not miss one thing, by not being stoned. I was plenty stoned on all kinds of drugs for many years but have been sober in all ways since 2002. With the times we are in, being sober is an excellent thing. God bless you both and thank you for reading my writing piece! Wendy
You're right, Wendy. Looking young should not be a demand. But looking good—as good as we can at any age—is always in style! Here's to aging gracefully!
Jan, bless you! You are already a beautiful woman. As much of a blunt warrior lady as I am, I also know beauty…and you qualify as beautiful. Beauty is a narrow ledge…and while I do not “let myself go”, I have stepped off the female pressure cooker and refuse to be lectured about my face or body. I am not on display! Gravity is not escapable and I will not spend what years I may have left, in fruitless pursuit of “looking young.” NO NO and NO. I want to look like ME, not some kid. I have lived and sorrowed and laughed (at least some…) and I do not apologize for my lines and white hairs, I earned every single one of them. OK, WEW rant over…and know that I hold you in high regard for your own survival in this difficult world. You are inspiring! Wendy (and someone out there said something about “aging disgracefully”…and I can relate…)
In our 70's (I just turned 70) we have seen so much change.
There are people on this earth that have had the perfect life.
Thank you Wendy for sharing your bumpy path.
No matter how much you crumbled or stumbled, you are still a child of God. Yes I made a lot of dumb decisions in my younger years, why is it that some youngsters seem so much more clear minded? My two older sisters were no where close to being good examples, both of them indulged in sex and drugs from high school to their mid 20s. We were good students in school.
Something happened with me. I think I was just crippled with confusion watching them and some how even managing to excel in school.
I was not so fortunate. - kind of the opposite really, super crappy in school, and not promiscuous or druggy. Still, I was I think, a space cadet. What gave me the push? many years later working as an RN in a surgical practice. I had the best boss and he praised me constantly.
Anyway, Here we are. Looking back is fine in all of the numerous photos we have, but the lack of courage, and clear mindedness, was something I did not have. I met my hubbs when I was 25 and he is the best person in the world to me. Complete opposite, lovable, brilliant, I feel so very blessed, but the struggles in life will always present themselves. I have one difficult child, she married a very controlling guy. My other daughter and I are very close. Thank God.
Really. Thank God for everything, right?
I could rattle on, but I won't - my parents were incredible. Both lived in the Netherlands and lived through WW2.
Every day is kind of a struggle but we smooth is out. We know more now
Rosemary, humble thanks for your kind words of wisdom and encouragement. Life is strange as we get older...but my point in this writing piece is not to wish to be young but to live life as it comes, day by day. I hold fast to God, as that is the only way I can keep going. My own Mom was a Registered Nurse and I know the intensity of that profession, so I salute you for participating in that noble work. Your parents from the Netherlands, during WW2...that is MOST intense. The book "the Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom, is a powerful book written about her own family who lived in the Netherlands during the German occupation of WW2. They were dedicated Christians who secretly sheltered fleeing Jews in their home...until they were caught. Corrie's Father died in captivity and she and her sister were sent to Ravensbrook women's camp, where her sister also died but Corrie herself was released due to a "clerical error" and went on to spend the rest of her life as a traveling minister of the Gospel. God can certainly take each one of us and make something good of us, despite the travail we might endure. Keep on, dear Rosemary and I will, too. Blessings, Wendy
I was considered a fast starter in school, but have come to think of myself as a slow learner in all the subjects of life that really matter. At least I'm still on the learning path and the Lord accepts me in Jesus. He's always known me far better than I've ever known myself. This past December, I commemorated the 50th anniversary of my earthly father's passing. I was 19 at the time and even I can do the math. 69 - yeah, that's right. 69 years old now. All those things I thought I just HAD to do, that I hurried to do are done, or I've thrown them out like the things the Apostle Paul referred to as "dung" and that's fine. No longing for the past. History is my favorite subject, but it's not all it's cracked up to be.
H.J., I totally "get" it. I used to rush all over the place and to no avail. Papa God always tells me to SLOW DOWN, especially when reading scripture. Youth is in a hurry and Elders slow down. I guess that is the wheel turning...but as long as God and His Son are at the helm of my life, I am learning to let go of the steering wheel, bit by bit. Even at 72, I am doing that. I also love the bluntness of Apostle Paul!! Blessings to you, as we work towards Glory! Wendy
PF Millennial, thank you for this comment, you brought tears to my eyes. I cry, that is my vent for emotion (no longer sex or drugs…). It is always my earnest endeavor with my humble writing, to encourage others, that makes my life worthwhile. The work you are pursuing is MAJOR and I am blessed that you have boldly gone forward and used the power of EXHORTATION, to call your generation to boldness and courage and purity. These are incredible things, much better than all the savage “pleasure seeking” that I pursued, or others after me. Keep on, you are doing God’s work! Bless you, Wendy
You rock Wendy! I felt some pent up energy and emotion vent out of me as well reading your words. I appreciate your perspective from your vantage point and experiences, it’s helpful when I consider the angles I take on my subject matter and how I can consider different lenses.
Thank you, PF Millennial! I write bluntly because someone from my own Boomer generation needs to be blunt about the realities of "sexual freedom". Freedom is not free...it has a steep cost. I paid it and many others paid it and it is not pleasant. Sexuality is created by Papa God, for two reasons: the continuation of the human race (that requires male and female joining), and the covenant of marriage fellowship between husband and wife, as presented by God way back when. God does not make mistakes. Just because us humans have messed things up, does not mean God made a mistake. Keep on, PFM, you are doing good work, day by day. I pray for God to guide you to a WONDERFUL woman to be your wife, in His timing. That is the honorable "figure 8" that not only can create life, but also nourish husband and wife in the safe covenant of matrimony, as blessed by God. Not easy, not remotely...but easier than promiscuity, which debases humans. OK, W.E.W. rant over...
Can I comment at a tangent. Its astonishing to me that some of the 1980s is now over 40 years ago. And those irreverent mould breaking Young People with their clear sighted contempt for bourgeois pleasures are now old people and what's more,most of them are the same age a me and some a year or two older. Yet back in 1984 they all seemed a good ten years younger,they were all YOUNG. Madonna is only I think 3 years less than me in age but 40 years ago she was 20 years younger! Its like Einstein said Time is relative. So back in 1984 a young one like Ade Edmondson would be mocking the kind of old couple whose idea of fun was a day walking the Dales ending with buttered crumpets at a quaint village pub. So 40 years later what's his tv career consist of.....my favourite Dales walks ending up in the old pub what buttered.crumpets. And the number of contemptuous mockers of gardening "pleasant valley Sunday" who get into it in their 13 acre Tudor Manor House garden they could afford to buy with their ultimately hypocritical mockery is legion.
Thank you, Jane, for your always deep and interesting comments. Age is certainly the great leveler, as I said. Not one of us escapes old age unless we die before we get old (as The Who spoke of in a song long ago). I am grateful to God for every day of life and into Eternity with Him when He calls me Home. I cannot take one item of “stuff” with me when God calls me Home, only the spiritual wealth I have gathered in serving Him and His Son. Please take good care of yourself, Jane! Wendy
Another great think piece. I would take these last years over my youth due to the sheer stupidity that flowed out of me when I was young. That being said, old age is loss of love. We've all lost so many others, it's hard to bear at time. Life is rough, any way you take it, but blessed are those who cling to God.
Thank you, dear Joan, for your wonderul comment on my latest writing piece. Indeed, watching those we love, die and we are still here…that is one of the primal things of getting older. I am the last surviving member of my immediate family. I have some dear cousins still, but no one close to me in location. God is our utlimate CLING and no way I will ever let go again! I learned my painful lesson. God bless and keep you, Joan. Wendy
HE knows, HE hears.
Trust His grace to shape your words.
Whispered truth, echoes with thunder.
Thank you, Donn…made me cry, a good tears…my steam vent, since I do not drink or smoke or use drugs of any kind. Bless you.
same. Hubbs and I have always been straight.
we have had some crazy experiences though, once we went to a party (we were in our 20's) and the entire house reeked of pot. Just being in that house we were greatly affected by the air. when we left (it was winter) we sat on some freezing cold steps on a path and tried to sort ourselves out realizing we were high on pot.
Rosemary, you are your dear husband did not miss one thing, by not being stoned. I was plenty stoned on all kinds of drugs for many years but have been sober in all ways since 2002. With the times we are in, being sober is an excellent thing. God bless you both and thank you for reading my writing piece! Wendy
You're right, Wendy. Looking young should not be a demand. But looking good—as good as we can at any age—is always in style! Here's to aging gracefully!
Jan, bless you! You are already a beautiful woman. As much of a blunt warrior lady as I am, I also know beauty…and you qualify as beautiful. Beauty is a narrow ledge…and while I do not “let myself go”, I have stepped off the female pressure cooker and refuse to be lectured about my face or body. I am not on display! Gravity is not escapable and I will not spend what years I may have left, in fruitless pursuit of “looking young.” NO NO and NO. I want to look like ME, not some kid. I have lived and sorrowed and laughed (at least some…) and I do not apologize for my lines and white hairs, I earned every single one of them. OK, WEW rant over…and know that I hold you in high regard for your own survival in this difficult world. You are inspiring! Wendy (and someone out there said something about “aging disgracefully”…and I can relate…)
In our 70's (I just turned 70) we have seen so much change.
There are people on this earth that have had the perfect life.
Thank you Wendy for sharing your bumpy path.
No matter how much you crumbled or stumbled, you are still a child of God. Yes I made a lot of dumb decisions in my younger years, why is it that some youngsters seem so much more clear minded? My two older sisters were no where close to being good examples, both of them indulged in sex and drugs from high school to their mid 20s. We were good students in school.
Something happened with me. I think I was just crippled with confusion watching them and some how even managing to excel in school.
I was not so fortunate. - kind of the opposite really, super crappy in school, and not promiscuous or druggy. Still, I was I think, a space cadet. What gave me the push? many years later working as an RN in a surgical practice. I had the best boss and he praised me constantly.
Anyway, Here we are. Looking back is fine in all of the numerous photos we have, but the lack of courage, and clear mindedness, was something I did not have. I met my hubbs when I was 25 and he is the best person in the world to me. Complete opposite, lovable, brilliant, I feel so very blessed, but the struggles in life will always present themselves. I have one difficult child, she married a very controlling guy. My other daughter and I are very close. Thank God.
Really. Thank God for everything, right?
I could rattle on, but I won't - my parents were incredible. Both lived in the Netherlands and lived through WW2.
Every day is kind of a struggle but we smooth is out. We know more now
Rosemary, humble thanks for your kind words of wisdom and encouragement. Life is strange as we get older...but my point in this writing piece is not to wish to be young but to live life as it comes, day by day. I hold fast to God, as that is the only way I can keep going. My own Mom was a Registered Nurse and I know the intensity of that profession, so I salute you for participating in that noble work. Your parents from the Netherlands, during WW2...that is MOST intense. The book "the Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom, is a powerful book written about her own family who lived in the Netherlands during the German occupation of WW2. They were dedicated Christians who secretly sheltered fleeing Jews in their home...until they were caught. Corrie's Father died in captivity and she and her sister were sent to Ravensbrook women's camp, where her sister also died but Corrie herself was released due to a "clerical error" and went on to spend the rest of her life as a traveling minister of the Gospel. God can certainly take each one of us and make something good of us, despite the travail we might endure. Keep on, dear Rosemary and I will, too. Blessings, Wendy
Thank you for sharing your wisdom! God bless your writing ventures!
I was considered a fast starter in school, but have come to think of myself as a slow learner in all the subjects of life that really matter. At least I'm still on the learning path and the Lord accepts me in Jesus. He's always known me far better than I've ever known myself. This past December, I commemorated the 50th anniversary of my earthly father's passing. I was 19 at the time and even I can do the math. 69 - yeah, that's right. 69 years old now. All those things I thought I just HAD to do, that I hurried to do are done, or I've thrown them out like the things the Apostle Paul referred to as "dung" and that's fine. No longing for the past. History is my favorite subject, but it's not all it's cracked up to be.
Thanks, Wendy!
H.J., I totally "get" it. I used to rush all over the place and to no avail. Papa God always tells me to SLOW DOWN, especially when reading scripture. Youth is in a hurry and Elders slow down. I guess that is the wheel turning...but as long as God and His Son are at the helm of my life, I am learning to let go of the steering wheel, bit by bit. Even at 72, I am doing that. I also love the bluntness of Apostle Paul!! Blessings to you, as we work towards Glory! Wendy
Calm washed over me reading this. Thanks for soothing my mind which is moving quite fast before bed. Thanks for sharing your wisdom Wendy!
PF Millennial, thank you for this comment, you brought tears to my eyes. I cry, that is my vent for emotion (no longer sex or drugs…). It is always my earnest endeavor with my humble writing, to encourage others, that makes my life worthwhile. The work you are pursuing is MAJOR and I am blessed that you have boldly gone forward and used the power of EXHORTATION, to call your generation to boldness and courage and purity. These are incredible things, much better than all the savage “pleasure seeking” that I pursued, or others after me. Keep on, you are doing God’s work! Bless you, Wendy
You rock Wendy! I felt some pent up energy and emotion vent out of me as well reading your words. I appreciate your perspective from your vantage point and experiences, it’s helpful when I consider the angles I take on my subject matter and how I can consider different lenses.
Thank you, PF Millennial! I write bluntly because someone from my own Boomer generation needs to be blunt about the realities of "sexual freedom". Freedom is not free...it has a steep cost. I paid it and many others paid it and it is not pleasant. Sexuality is created by Papa God, for two reasons: the continuation of the human race (that requires male and female joining), and the covenant of marriage fellowship between husband and wife, as presented by God way back when. God does not make mistakes. Just because us humans have messed things up, does not mean God made a mistake. Keep on, PFM, you are doing good work, day by day. I pray for God to guide you to a WONDERFUL woman to be your wife, in His timing. That is the honorable "figure 8" that not only can create life, but also nourish husband and wife in the safe covenant of matrimony, as blessed by God. Not easy, not remotely...but easier than promiscuity, which debases humans. OK, W.E.W. rant over...
Can I comment at a tangent. Its astonishing to me that some of the 1980s is now over 40 years ago. And those irreverent mould breaking Young People with their clear sighted contempt for bourgeois pleasures are now old people and what's more,most of them are the same age a me and some a year or two older. Yet back in 1984 they all seemed a good ten years younger,they were all YOUNG. Madonna is only I think 3 years less than me in age but 40 years ago she was 20 years younger! Its like Einstein said Time is relative. So back in 1984 a young one like Ade Edmondson would be mocking the kind of old couple whose idea of fun was a day walking the Dales ending with buttered crumpets at a quaint village pub. So 40 years later what's his tv career consist of.....my favourite Dales walks ending up in the old pub what buttered.crumpets. And the number of contemptuous mockers of gardening "pleasant valley Sunday" who get into it in their 13 acre Tudor Manor House garden they could afford to buy with their ultimately hypocritical mockery is legion.
Thank you, Jane, for your always deep and interesting comments. Age is certainly the great leveler, as I said. Not one of us escapes old age unless we die before we get old (as The Who spoke of in a song long ago). I am grateful to God for every day of life and into Eternity with Him when He calls me Home. I cannot take one item of “stuff” with me when God calls me Home, only the spiritual wealth I have gathered in serving Him and His Son. Please take good care of yourself, Jane! Wendy