“GROWING OLD AIN’T FOR SISSIES”

Blog: Max Dawson
March 23, 2017
That’s what my neighbor, Sam, used to say. The grammar is wrong, but the truth of it is right. Life can be tough as you grow older. We need to be tough enough to meet the challenges it brings.
Perhaps some younger folks won’t read today’s post. Why not? Maybe it is because the young tend to think they will always be young. I used to sort of feel that way, didn’t you? Yet, in our rational moments, we know we must grow older–or die.
If you live long enough, you will grow old. It is unavoidable.
So, here are some random thoughts and quotations on growing old. I don’t know where all these came from. I have collected these quotes over the years.
“We spend far more time worrying about growing old and being buried than we do burying our old man so we can live forever.”
“You know you are growing old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster.”
“Time may be a great healer, but it is a lousy beautician.”
“Brain cells come and brain cells go, but fat cells stay forever.”
“Wisdom does not always come with age. Sometimes age comes all by itself.”
“Everybody wants to live a long time, but nobody wants to grow old.”
“I have seen it all, done it all, but can’t remember most of it.”
“Nothing makes me feel so old as to have to scroll down to find my year of birth.”
“My mind says I’m in my twenties. My body says ‘Yeah, you wish!'”

THE FINAL WORD|

Here is a prayer we can pray as we grow older.
Lord, keep me from the habit of thinking I must say something on every subject. Keep my mind from the recital of endless details and help me get to the point! Lord, you know that I want at least a few friends at the end.
Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing and the love of telling everyone about them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. Lord, instead, bless me to tell others about the wonderful things you have done in my life.
Keep me reasonably sweet in my declining years. I don’t want to be an old sour puss. I know that is one of the crowning works of the devil. I want to leave this world giving you the glory–not the devil.
Give me the ability to see good things in other people. And give me wisdom to tell them so. Lord, I want others to know how much I appreciate them.
Growing old is a little frightening. I often worry about what the days ahead may bring. Give me a heart that trusts you and is kind, gentle and loving to others.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Blessings to you, my wise friends,
–Max