Just When Did I get "Old"?

                                                            My 90-year-old mom

Don't ever ask a young child how old they think you are...

I recently spent time with a friend's young grandchildren and was amused by some of their questions. 

  

Them: Why are your teeth not very white?  

Me: They're old and the over the counter whiteners don't 
work well for me.  

Them: Did you know some of your teeth are gold?   

Me: Yes, that's how they used to fill teeth back in the pioneer days. 

 Them: What are those brown spots on your face?   

Me: They're called age spots.  They are there because I am old.

Them: How old are you? This question is usually better answered by the person being asked because these particular children think I am probably about 103.

I get it.  I have opted not to continue dyeing my hair so it's grayish/whitish/whatever.  When I was a young girl I remember thinking my next door neighbor, Mrs. Heinold,  was at least 
150-years-old because she had grayish/whitish/whatever hair too. 

I also remember a conversation several years ago with a woman well into her 80's.  She told me she had gotten quite a surprise when she looked in the mirror that morning, "I was shocked to see an old woman staring back from the mirror and I wondered just when did I get old?  Inside I still feel like a girl of 18.  I guess that's because the Spirit never ages so you always feel like you're still young regardless of what the mirror reflects."

As I thought back to both conversations I realized that getting "old" is a privilege not a right.  We somehow seem to take it for granted that we will live to be old even though we know many who die too young like my son, Richie, who only lived to be 20-months-old or my nephew, Phillip, who died unexpectedly at the age of 24.  

I am reminded of the 70's commercial for hair color that said, "You're not getting older you're getting better".  And I wonder if I am really getting better or if am I just getting older? Good question.

I hope I am becoming a better person the older I get.  I also hope that some of the life lessons--these things I've learned--may be helpful to others regardless of their age...

Life isn't fair.  It's just not.

No one else is responsible for your happiness but you.

Being kind to others doesn't cost a thing.

Possessions can't make you deep down to the soul happy.

Common sense is really not so common.

No one can fulfill all your needs and you can't fulfill all of
 someone else's needs either.

Work is called work for a reason. Many people don't like their jobs or some part of their jobs.  That's life.

If you don't forgive others, you can't live your life 
to the fullest.

Allow yourself and others to be imperfect and make mistakes because no one is perfect.  No one.  Even you.

No matter what you say or do, there is always someone 

who will find fault or disagree with you.

Standing up for what you believe in can be hard, 

especially if you're standing alone. Keep standing any ways.

If you make a promise keep it.  If you can't keep it, 
explain why.

The customer isn't always right.  Nobody is.

Forgive people for the dumb things they say to you and hope they forgive you for the dumb things you say to them too.

Some of the toughest looking people have the 

most tender of hearts.
Don't let pride get in the way of saying you're sorry.

Admit when you're wrong. 
Always say "please" and "thank you".
You don't have to say everything you are thinking out loud.

Everyone is here for a reason at this moment, this place, this time. Find out what your reason is, embrace it and run with it.

Honesty is truly the best policy and it's easier to swallow with a spoonful of sugar. 

Don't take yourself too seriously.  Learn to laugh at yourself--often and loudly.

People will disappoint you and you will disappoint them.   

Get over it and move on.

There will always be someone who is: younger, thinner, 

better looking, richer, smarter, etc. than you so just be 

the best you there is.

Happiness is a choice you make every moment of each day.

Judging others says more about you than it says about them.

Even in the darkest moments there is always  
something to be thankful for. 

You can always find something to compliment others about no matter who they are, no matter what they look like. 

Not everyone will be your best friend or biggest fan and 
that's okay.

Time does not heal all wounds but it can soften them 
and make them more bearable.

People will gossip about you no matter who you are or how hard you try.  Shake it off and go on with your life.

 Raise your children to be loving, caring, responsible, compassionate people then let them go and 
have their own lives.

Treat others how you want to be treated. 
Don't expect others to be as passionate about your 
passions as you are unless it's their passion too.

Love matures and changes over time but that's okay, it's still love.

Many folks who say they want you to tell them the truth really just want you to agree with what they think the truth is.

 The only constant about life is that it always changes. 

Sooner or later, everyone and everything that 
draws breath dies. 

There are many, many people in this world 

who would absolutely love and appreciate the life you have.

You never really know what someone else is going through--what personal demons they are fighting.  Some people who have been hurt the most wear the biggest smiles. 

Be more concerned about who you are than what you have.

It's better to have a handful of true friends than a room filled

 with fair weather "friends". 

You and only you are responsible for the choices you make.
Don't judge a book by its cover, take the time to 
open it up and read it. 

Some broken relationships cannot and should not be mended.

Continually living in the past only robs you of your 
present and future happiness.
The older we get, the less we are concerned about what
others think of us.

Laughter is the best medicine for the soul--that and love.

Forgive others even if they don't apologize.
Worry is a huge waste of time and energy.  It just is.
 The grass is only greener on the other side until 
you've been there for a while. 
Even the most broken of hearts can be mended. 

 Doing the best you can do is good enough.

Don't be afraid to dream big no matter what others say.

Those who die with the most toys lose if that's all they 

have to show for their time on earth. 

The best things in life truly are free.

  Every day, every moment is a gift from God

 that you will never have again so 
live each day to the fullest. 

Shepherdess Blog

Copyright 2018

Jackie Deems