The "Winter of Your Life" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Feeling old today.  Need to eat breakfast so I can take my meds.  Isn't that terrible.  Years ago I would have laughed at people who said what I just typed with my sore fingers.  Then I hear that funny bell coming from my computer that signals that I have mail.  Click on the postage stamp icon and up pops a message from my childhood friend Bill who lives in Arizona.  Now why did he send me a story titled  "Winter of our lives."  He's older then me, by a few days as are many of my friends.  Is he trying to tell me something.  He stopped a month ago to spend some time with me when he returned to Lancaster for his 50th year class reunion.  We had a great time talking about our past as well as our future.  I almost missed him that day when I locked my keys in my car a few miles from home and was late getting home.  First time I EVER did that in over 50 years of driving.  But, he was there in my driveway, reading my morning paper and waiting for me.  I started to read the story he sent me and realized that both he and I are older than we really want to be.  But, as the saying goes, we have no choice.  Remember, you need to live your life to it's fullest.  Don't miss doing something you really wanted to do in you life.  I certainly am not missing what I want to do.  Heavens, read my stories and you will see what I have been doing for the past few years.  So, for those of you who are my older friends and for those of you who are my age, and even for those who are close-by in age, I thought I would pass along the story .......... to make you think more than anything.  Are you really in the "Winter of you Life?"  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

You know... time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. And yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all and 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 remember when I was in the spring of my life, a young know-it-all, 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.  But, here I am in the winter of my life.  My friends are retired and getting gray, they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me, but, I see the great change.  Some suffering with a critically ill spouse praying they will outlive their loved one, to be there to take care of them. Then there are those that have been called home by the Lord, remaining in our hearts until we see them again.  Some of us have more friends and loved ones in heaven than we have here with us. 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 minor chores done is a big challenge for us.   Taking a nap is not a treat anymore, it's mandatory or I just fall asleep where I sit!  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!!  I praise God that I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last, when it's over I will be in my eternal abode without pain or sorrow for I have given my life to Christ, my Lord and Savior.  There are things I wish I hadn't done, things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done.  If you're 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 make it a priority and do it! Don't put things off too long because you can never be sure if this is your winter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life. "Life is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those you love. LIVE IT WELL!  ENJOY TODAY!  DO SOMETHING worthy of praise to God! Enjoy your blessings, be thankful!