Getting Old…

Three recent conversations with older friends went in a similar direction, raising similar questions…

Health: Each started with health issues – the heart condition, prostate cancer, knee replacement… local doctors, our local hospital, good caring professionals, the future of an overloaded, underfunded health service…

Humour: We moved on to humour – often totally inappropriate, related to body parts, body functions and bits that don’t work as they used to. Memories of a narrow waist and a broad mind – that now seem to have changed place.

Heaviness: In each conversation there was an underlying heaviness that was deeper than physical health and capability. A level of weariness, concern, anxiety and pain, relating to present situations and future uncertainties, that’s hard to identify and define.

Musing on, and trying to make sense of those conversations…

Humility: We face, accept and can’t change our past, including failures, inadequacies, disappointments. Much of life’s out of our control. Things that once seemed to be important are now of little value. I’m grateful I’m still here. Life is short and small.

Healing: When life’s heavy we need to refocus. Good things in life can be appreciated. There’s much to be grateful for – kind people, happy memories, a beautiful world. Healing is about change for the better – more than just the physical. Everyone needs something to believe in.

Hope: We need reassurance that we do have a future. Tomorrow is worth getting up for – enjoying what can be, rather than regretting what can’t be. It may require being proactive, reassessing opportunities, developing priorities, stepping into uncertainty…

Heart: There was much sadness about failed relationships, loneliness, a loveless marriage, estranged family members. Much of my friends’ heaviness was heaviness of heart…

St Paul said:

now these three remain… I’m humble as life’s complexities are reduced to…

faith… Healing – believing and seeing change for the better…

hope… There is a positive future in this world and the next…

and love. Closest to the heart

But the greatest of these is love. For each of my three friends…