Thought for the day 6-15-10

It’s hard to be nostalgic when you can’t remember anything.

The end of a generation – R.I.P. Joyce McBeth

There was an average of 3 years difference in the ages of my Daddy’s brothers and sisters…..7 in all.  There were two girls that were stillborn, but I never knew (or forgot) where they were in the birth order.  Aunt Joyce was the baby.

Aunt Joyce endured more than I believe I ever could.  How do you bury two children.  Max died 14 years ago and Jan 2.  She loved her husband, her children, her many neices and nephews and the friends she made everywhere she went.

When Jan died a couple of years ago, the cousins vowed that we were tired of seeing each other only at funerals.  Every few months 4 out of the 7 that made the pledge meet at a restaurant, and more recently, a nursing home (my cousin broke her leg and had to have rehab).  Sherry, Joyce’s only living child, is one of the four.  Before Thanksgiving, Sherry made plans for all of us to meet at Aunt Joyce’s retirement home surprise her by having Thanksgiving dinner with her.  The weather was cold, the wind was horrible, the Dallas traffic miserable….but we were there.  Aunt Joyce was so surprised.  We all had a wonderful time.  She told us during dinner that she misses her brothers and sisters so much.  I am so grateful that we visited her that night.  That we shared a meal together.  That is the memory I will take with me.

Tonight I hope she is having a family reunion with Uncle Luke and Aunt Bertha, Aunt ‘Sis’ and Uncle Cecil, Uncle Lewis and Aunt Rose, Uncle Dub and Aunt Dorothy, My beloved Daddy, Aunt Helen and Uncle Bill, her husband ‘Speedy’, and children Jan and Max.

May the souls of the dearly departed, rest in peace.

Saturday’s rationalization

We all get heavier as we get older,
because there’s a lot more information in our heads.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

A few years ago my supervisor and I were walking around the property at work.  There was a telephone pole the kids use for team work exercises.  He made some statement about the ‘gunk’ that it is coated with.  ‘Yeah, creosote’ I responded.  He told me how smart I am – how I know all kinds of things like ‘creosote’.  ‘It’s not smart honey.  If you don’t know a lot of stuff at my age it’s called STUPID!.’  True story.

Dia de los muertos – Day of the dead

The Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrated widely in the Mexican culture of Mexico and North America.  The purpose it to remember and celebrate the lives of deceased family and friends.  On this day I will celebrate the lives of these people: My Dad, Gene Kenley: Grandmother, Dessie Redwine; Cousin, Jan Furrh; best g/friend Connie; best guy friend; Charles.  There are many more, but those specifically who have left this life most recently.  A friend at work told me yesterday that in the Mexican culture there are 3 deaths: when the spirit leaves the body, when the body is burried and the final is when no one remembers you.

May the souls of these dearly departed, rest in peace.

Sucess through the ages

At age 4 success is . . . not peeing in your pants.
At age 12 success is . . . having friends.
At age 17 success is. . having a driver’s license.
At age 35 success is. having money.
At age 50 success is . . . having money.
At age 70 success is. .. . having a drivers license.
At age 75 success is . . . having friends.
At age 80 successes is . . . not peeing in your pants.

Thought for The Day – July 15, 2008

Enjoy the trip called the journey of life…..the destination is final.

Tomorrow my youngest son will be 31 years old.  I was wondering today where it had all gone.  My life is like most, with its ups and downs.  There are some things that, if I could, I would have done differently.  If I had I then I would not be the person I have become today.  I’m not unhappy how my life turned out.  My only real regrets are those things that have harmed others, specifically my family.

Oh, my aching body

I went to self defense and restraint training yesterday.  There is not a square inch of me that doesn’t hurt.  I spent 8 hours performing a modified martial arts technique.  I am too old for that crap!

Mom

I went to Lubbock this weekend to visit my Mom.  It was, as usual, incredibly depressing.  She has reached the stage in her dementia where she doesn’t remember to swallow food.  Everything must be in puree form and followed by something to drink.  Liquids she swallows.  She has lost more weight this month.  Her nurses aid says she has deteriorated a lot this past month.  It is hard for me to accept that she has no idea who I am.  I combed her hair, gave her a manicure and put lotion on her dried up skin.  I fed her dinner on Sunday night and slurpee on Monday.  I made her an appointment for a hair cut and perm for today.  She does not seem at all unhappy.  I guess that is the most I can hope for, that somewhere in her mind, she is in a happy place.

Thoughts on aging

• You talk about “good grass” and you’re referring to someone’s lawn.
• Your arms are almost too short to read the newspaper.
• Your back goes out more than you do.

Dammit my back has so many cramps in the muscles, it resembles a weight lifters.

I’m gonna go get my hair done.  At least I’m not one of those little blue hair ladies with no lips!

More old age symptoms

Your memory is shorter and your complaining lasts longer.

Your address book has mostly names that start with Dr.

You sit in a rocking chair and can’t get it going.