POPS’ MUSINGS OF LIFE
“The Back Nine”
You know, time has a way of
moving quickly and catching you
unaware of the passing years. It
seems just yesterday that I was
young, just married and embarking
on my new life with my wife.
But, here it is: the “back nine” 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 well seeing older
people through the years and
thinking that those older people
were years away from me. It felt
like “I was only on the first hole,”
and the “back nine” was so far
off that I could not fathom it or
imagine fully what it would be like.
But, here it is. My friends are
retired and getting gray. They
move slower, and I see an older
person now. Some are in better
shape and some are in worse shape
than me, but I see the great change.
They were not like the people that
I remembered, young and vibrant.
Like me, their age is beginning to
show, and we are now those older
folks that we used to see and never
thought we’d become.
Each day now, I find that just
getting a shower is a real target for
the day! Taking a nap is not a treat
anymore, it’s mandatory! If I don’t
take one on my own free will I just
fall asleep where I sit!
And so now I enter into this new
season of my life unprepared for
all the aches and pains, the loss of
strength, and the ability to go and
do things that I wish I had done
but never did!! But, at least I know
that although I’m on the “back
nine” and I’m not sure how long
it will last, this I know: when it’s
64
“Today is the oldest you’ve ever been,
yet the youngest you’ll ever be,
so enjoy this day while it lasts...”
- Pops
over on this earth, it’s over. A new
adventure will begin! Yes, I have
regrets. 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. It’s
all in a lifetime.
So, if you’re not on the “back nine”
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 do
it soon! Don’t put things off too
long!! Life goes by quickly. Do what
you can today, as you can never be
sure whether you’re on the “back
nine” or not!
You have no promise that you will
see all the seasons of your life. Live
for today and say all the things
that you want your loved ones to
remember, and hope that they
appreciate and love you for all the
things that you have done for them
in all the years past!!
“Life” is a gift to you. The way you
live your life is your gift to those
who come after. Make it a fantastic
one.
LIVE IT WELL!
ENJOY
TODAY! DO SOMETHING
FUN! BE HAPPY! HAVE A
GREAT DAY!
Remember, “It is health that is real
wealth and not pieces of gold and
silver.”
LIVE HAPPY IN 2014!
LASTLY, CONSIDER THIS:
•
Your kids are becoming you,
but your grandchildren are
perfect!
•
Going out is good.. Coming
home is better!
•
You forget names, but it’s OK
because other people forgot
they even knew you!!!
•
You realize you’re never going
to be really good at anything...
especially golf.
•
The things you used to care to
do, you no longer care to do,
but you really do care that you
don’t care to do them anymore.
•
You miss the days when
everything worked with just an
“ON” and “OFF” switch.
•
You tend to use more 4 letter
words like “what?” “when?”
•
Now that you can afford
expensive jewelry, it’s not safe
to wear it anywhere.
•
You notice everything they sell
in stores is “sleeveless”?!!!
•
Everybody whispers.
•
You have 3 sizes of clothes in
your closet, 2 of which you will
never wear.
•
But Old is good in some things:
old Songs, old movies, and best
of all, OLD FRIENDS!!
Stay well, “OLD FRIEND!” It’s Not
What You Gather, But What You
Scatter That Tells What Kind Of
Life You Have Lived.