April 2006 Archives

I was given a little book today with little quips about getting older. Some of them are funny; some are thought-provoking. Thought I'd share a few.

"Old age is not a disease; it is a strength and survivorship, [which] triumph over all kinds of vicissitudes and disappointments, trials and illnesses" - Maggie Kuhn

"Old age is like climbing a mountain. You climb from ledge to ledge. The higher you get, the more tired and breathless you become, but your views become more extensive." - Ingrid Bergman

"Life would be infinitely happier if we could only be born at the age of eighty and gradually approach eighteen." - Mark Twain (I'm not sure I totally agree, but it was an interesting perspective!)

"Inside every seventy-year-old there is a thirty-five-year-old asking 'What happened'" - Ann Landers

And since I live with teenager girls, the next one resonated with me . . .

"Middle age is when you're sitting at home on Saturday night and the telephone rings and you hope it's not for you." - Ogden Nash

I've been sitting here most of the day, pushing through the papers on my desk and longing for a nap. What is it about the gluttony and excess of the holidays? Nobody was forcing me to eat!

Mmmmmm . . . so good. I have a piece of my mother's brownie - with walnuts, just like I love them. . . and about to foul my keyboard in the most egregious fashion. (Do I care??)

I spent Easter dinner with my sister (Arrrgh!!) and 26 other people yesterday. A rare event these days, as I have learned that these gatherings are sometimes difficult for me. This was an exception.

I think it's true that absence can make the heart grow fonder. I've missed my oldest niece. She is currently undergoing treatment for cancer. I expected her to be tired and wan, but in spite of her treatment she seems to be her spunky self, if not just a little quieter. It moved me to tears to see her. I had trouble at first getting to my feet to hug her. I felt so sure that I would cry. I hate morosity. . . these days I wear it on my sleeve.

I haven't seen her children since they were little. Her daughter is beautiful and gracious, and I was drawn to her. I wanted to let her know that this auntie was proud of her accomplishments and her admission to a prestigious school. She embodies the spirit of a much loved aunt. I wonder if she has any inkling of how much she resembles this woman. (Ironic, too, since biologically, they are unrelated.)

My oldest sister was warm and loving, taking time to talk to me and share insights and opinions and hugging me many times. I've missed her, too. Too much distance unnecessarily. She was upset that we didn't have much time to talk. Talk is all we do at these mob gatherings. Unfortunately, the talk hasn't much depth and is often interrupted. I promised her that I would come back for a weekend and we would do something together.

When? I'm so busy. I love all the things I am involved with, but as some of you have noted, there a times that many things don't get attended to. I guess I'll just have to give up cleaning again.

Darn.