The other day I read one of those letters that go viral on Facebook and it brought me to tears.
These days this is easily achieved. I don’t know if my emotions changed after I had children or if I was always a softy that used to have a hard shell.
This letter was from an old woman writing to her daughter and the gist of it was how she was never going to see her as an old woman. She was giving her advice on how to age gracefully and make the best out of life.
There comes a point in time when, I’m sure, most people think of their mortality. When people think of the reality of things like their parents won’t be here to see them age nor will they be here for their children’s whole life (all going well).
This week I was slapped that reality in the face. My parents are both in their seventies. Whilst my Dad is fairly fit my Mom’s health has deteorated rapidly in the last 5 years. She has Alzheimer’s and last week she suffered a stroke. Whilst I wasn’t needed for the emergency (my Dad, my sister and several other relatives were close by), I felt the need to fly home to be with my Mom.
It was heartbreaking. We had been home just 4 months ago, but the difference even in this short time was stark. She is very frail and skinny. She needs help like a toddler does, for most things. And she can’t communicate well, partly because of the effects of the stroke in her speech and partly because of Alzheimer’s itself.
I stayed with them over the weekend and am now flying back. I think she was happy to see me. I hope it wasn’t emotionally difficult for her to go home after dropping me off. I prepared her as much as I could by telling her in advance that I was only there for a few days.
Life is precious and it can be wonderful if you find purpose in it and you are able to pursue it. But ageing sucks. Not because your body sags, your skin wrinkles and your hair goes grey. But because you lose physical abilities whilst still having the desires of a youngster in your mind.
More than ever I find that every moment is precious. Your life (or of the ones you love) may end suddenly, or you may be around until you’re 100. Fill your years full of life, of love, of meaning while you can. I urge you. Tell your kids too!