Monthly Archives: June 2026

The Promise in Living Long

Some May Ask: Is there a Promise in Aging?

Promise and ageing may sound antithetical to some; however, there is much in common between the two.  A life well lived is one promise that I have always wanted to attain. Of course, the question becomes what is a life well lived? The funny thing is I really don’t know the answer. At this point in my life, as I think about what I hoped for vs what I see as my life-long hopes and dreams not accomplished. On the other hand, what if what I hoped or wished for were not what is best for me or those that I hoped and wished for?  At this point the honest answer is I don’t know. Until that last moment there is always promise that as the late, great Sam Cooke wrote “A Change Is Gonna Come.”

The Promise of Living and Travel

I have been blessed to have done a bit of traveling. I’ve seen the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Christo in Rio de Janeiro, and the celebrated Crop over (the Mardi Grais parade) in Barbados as well as the Empire State building and Statue of Liberty in New York and let me not forget the lovely beaches of San Diego and Monterey and walked the lovely streets of San Francisco. There remain still places I would like to see and experiences. Who says (besides the Universe and God) what’s next? I want to visit Italy for the fountains, the statues (especially David) and the Vatican.  I dream of going back to France to visit Versailles. I’m basically healthy (I take one half a prescribed blood pressure medication daily) and remain in recovery from overdoing my intake of vitamin B. Remains of the predictable jabs of burning under the skin of my left thigh. These are minor inconveniences compared to others my age or even younger. I am truly blessed and I know it.

The Promise in Aging

The promise is I have lived a good life. I have never been hungry or without the advantage of hope for me and my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. I remain able to travel, and I remain able to drive my wonderful, aged automobile, Suga. I remain single and unattached to a loving male partner (my preference). Whatever is left for me to experience is of course unknown. That means anything good or not so good may happen. But, I’m looking on the good side. I accept the life I’ve experienced so far. There remains a promise- a promise that it’s not over until it’s over. As long as there is life -there is promise.

Reflecting On Life’s Final Days

Facing Age and Regret

Aging and regret have become daily companions. I find it difficult to understand those who wish to live forever, even as I continue to pray each day for good health and sound mind. Still, I cannot ignore the steady changes in my body. It is slowly becoming something unfamiliar—less aligned with the strength, ease, and sense well-being I once expected it to hold. A mirrored glimpse of my face or a slight turn of the arms or hands show lines, wrinkles and veins that are unfamiliar to the physical person that I once was.  Do I or would I, if I could, invest in the surgeries and time to erase (or almost erase) the ravages of time on the body coupled with the every-day stress living forever be worth it?  My humble answer is a resounding “no”.

Facing Regret

I carry many regrets and I review them much too often. My mistakes have been many. Still, I know I did my best with what I understood at the time. At times, I see questions in the eyes of family and friends—questions regarding what happened to the life they once imagined for me. The path they expected, and perhaps the one I expected for myself, did not unfold as planned. Whether by the universe, by God’s plan, or by forces I still do not fully understand, my life became something different from what I and those around me once expected. The importance of what my mother called “standing tall” is what is needed now in facing regret. How do I stand tall now that it’s called upon? Can one still recover at an aged life? Can one change the looks in other’s eyes? Can one face regret and still stand tall?  That’s the question and answer at once.

Facing Age Old Memories

 I believe the answer may be to live one’s later years with gusto and love. The only way to change how others look at you is to shape the way you see yourself. Others may judge, but they cannot control how you feel about who you are. This idea can be difficult to accept. Recently, a gathering at the lovely home of someone from my church brought back memories of my own beautiful home and reminded me how deeply I miss it. A simple trip to the bathroom awakened those memories. The room was beautiful, filled with the soft scent of lilac and decorated with framed pictures of flowers and perfume bottles. Its details carried me back to the pictures, fragrances, and quiet comforts of my own remembered home. I pulled myself together as I exited the room with no regret and compliment my hostess with a true smile regarding the room and its pleasantness. Then reconnecting with my small group as we proceeded to discuss the subject of the meeting “Forgiveness.”