Memories and Aging Well

Great Moments

Backstory

It’s a spot; a moment in time that is indelible in your memory. It may be a seminal moment – or a simple gesture or word. But it is burned into your mind, to be remembered forever.

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Great Moments – #707

What great moments of your life do you remember?

One of mine, was my Mom’s 75^th birthday. My sisters’ and I wanted to throw a party at a nice hotel. But she wanted a family affair at our farmhouse here in the Shenandoah Valley.

We had just recently bought the house as a weekend retreat. It was over 100 years-old and it needed everything. The plaster walls had cracks, the kitchen had a rickety stove from the 1930’s. We had very little furniture yet, and you just might fall through the floor in one or two of the rooms.

But Mom was adamant that this was to be the site of her big birthday shindig. So, we hung crepe paper on the walls to cover the cracks, sat a door on saw horses as a party table, brought in mix-matched folding chairs, turned up the radio, invited the neighbors and had so much, that 15-years later it still pops into my mind as a great moment.

Just think, something that happens to you today may become the great moment that you’ll talk about 15-years from now.

You just never know what life holds when you go around the next corner.

Ain’t it just great!

P.S.

What great moment pops into YOUR mind? Scroll down and share it, if you can.

[Show #707]

Motorcycle Annie

Backstory

Do you see an action video on Facebook featuring a mature woman and ask yourself, “How does she do that, at her age?” Annie had the same question. And then, something happened!

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Motorcycle Annie – #701

I just saw an intriguing photo – a lovely lady perched on her motorcycle. At 71, Annie has just completed the motorcycle safety course. She is brand new to the bike and she loves it.

Annie wasn’t doing too well a few years ago. She had aches and pains that seem to come along with Social Security. But this lady decided to do something about it. She got into an exercise program that improved her strength and brought back her vitality. She spends it on that motorcycle – among other things.

For YOU to improve your overall physical fitness, what you really need, to start, is just -your FEET. Yep, a program of fitness can start as easily as simply getting out of your chair and on your feet. Walking is easy. As you gain stamina, you add other activities.

Go for the gusto and motorcycle with Annie, Or take a more pedestrian route.

In any case, you’ll be amazed how fast it makes a difference.

P.S.

Even if you never get past the stage where it’s your feet moving you around, the oxygen will pump blood through your veins and will help you thrive.

[Show #701]

Balancing Mind and Body

Backstory

Decisions, decisions. Many of our friends seem to be facing a fork in the road. They are furiously weighing pros and cons as they try to decide – what next. In sympathy, this story was written.

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Balancing Mind and Body – #710

As we move along in life, there are changes to accept. They require a balancing of the images of the mind, with the desires and realities of the body.

The mind can image our standing atop the highest mountain; the knees may not support the climb. The mind may create passionate and romantic interludes; the body may want to take a nap.

A good part of the enjoyment of life in all its stages Is a balance between mind and body. Your vitality probably just needs a little moderation. The hike upward; only with rest stops. But oh the glory of the flag whipping in the wind once you get to the top!

Whether you’ll conquer your mountain in the clouds . . . on the Internet . . . in the kitchen or in the check book, balance mind and body and go for it!

P.S.

As you age, the balance of your life needs to include time to provide support – for friends and relatives who get injured or sick, or for yourself or your spouse. Leave room to be there when someone needs you. It’s not if, it’s when.

[Show #710]

Air Conditioning… Remember When

Backstory

Many modern conveniences are taken for granted. But there are those of us who grew up without them, or before they were invented.

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Air Conditioning – #433

Say its summertime. You have the choice of being outside in the sun, hot and heavy, or inside in the cool comfort of an air-conditioned domicile. Which one do you choose?

I remember a time not long ago when that choice did not exist. It would be as hot in the house as it was outside. My grandmother had her summer routine down pat. When to open the door and windows, when to pull the shades and drapes, when to turn on the big fan that did little more than moving around the hot air. When to hurry and get the days work done while the heat was still bearable, when to sit as still as possible with a big cloth for wiping the sweat.

City kids remember how they’d open the fire hydrant, and everyone would get wet to cool down. In recent power outages we’ve been reminded of how that felt. Young people may never before have had to go days in intense heat with no cooling.

How did you and your family handle it? Did you cry and whine, cursing the power company to hurry up and get us back to normal? Did you give prayers of thanks for all the days when we do not have to go without the cooling comfort of our conditioned air? Did you just ride around in your air-conditioned vehicle until it was all over?

Air conditioning in hot weather, yet another thing for which to give thanks here in America.

P.S.

Remember going to the movies often, because the theater was the only place in town that had air conditioning?

[Show #433]

Wise Moms

Edited and updated May 12, 2019.

Backstory

This week’s musings are about your mother and the place you held in her heart. It’s all in how you look at it. This may present some new perspectives.

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Wise Moms – #499

There is a time in life when your mom is not so smart. It’s the age when you know much more than she does. She is so out of it; and you are so cool . . . except for that one time that she was right. Or was it two times . . . or maybe three.

Then the years fly by and your mom somehow gets magically wiser. As you progress to the stage of a young mother yourself, you understand for the first time what your mom was all about. So she wasn’t trying to stifle you . . . she wanted to protect you. She didn’t want to make your life a living hell . . . she just wanted your room cleaned.

And know that when she is no longer here on earth with you, your mom will still linger – in your heart, your words and deeds. You’ll find yourself saying something she said . . . or voicing the exact same cautions that she did. You’ll cry at the same kind of movie. Memories of what you shared will make you smile – or laugh out loud.

You see, a mother isn’t just on hand until you’re 18, or until you’re through college or until you marry. A mother is forever. Treasure yours while she is here and remember her when she’s gone, for she is never far away. Her love and her teachings still guide you.

When you need her, you’ll feel her essence, her warmth, her glow. You don’t have to be able to see her. You can feel her in your soul.

Thanks to all the mothers remembered with love.

P.S.

We like to repeat this show at this time of year, as a reminder of the role mothers play, forever.

[Show #499]

Snow Birds

Backstory

It takes a lot of planning and logistics to leave your primary residence for two or three months and live elsewhere – even if the elsewhere offers warm breezes and sunlit skies. It was a big decision to make and here’s the dilemma that we faced.

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Snow Birds – #187

This year, we wintered in Florida. We left our permanent residence behind and rented someone else’s home for the two coldest months of the year. The sun shown daily and the dress of the day was shirtsleeves. It was wonderful.

I’m still trying to come to terms with becoming part of the great exodus southward. They call us snow birds.

Actually, it’s the natural things to do, just as the birds do. It makes sense to remove your body from the environment where it will shiver and ache as the cold wind blows.

And yet I felt that I had abandoned my place in life by taking the easy way out. Perhaps I would have been made stronger or smarter or more resilient if I stayed in my snow-swept home.

Would Valentine’s Day have been more romantic up here? Would the St. Patrick’s Day beer have been greener?

To my neighbors and friend back here, I apologize for not donning my boots and wool-lined gloves, For never scrapping ice from my windshield.

For not being able to join in the myriad of complaints about the road conditions and the salting crews and the electrical lines down.

But you know what? Next year . . . I’m heading south again!

P.S.

We’ve wintered in St Augustine, Tampa and The Villages. Looks like we’ll experience Sarasota next. What is your favorite Florida winter get away site?

[Show #187]

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