Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Golden


With the events of this past weekend, another grandchild graduating from college, I began to think...now grant you, I do think alot, but I mean really think.  And I have to admit I do my best thinking in the bathroom. I have a feeling I am not the only one that would admit to that.  Whether it's taking a shower, putting on my make-up, drying my hair, or sitting on the john, this seems to be the place for deep thoughts.  And what I have been pondering lately is what are the advantages of growing old.  We talk about the golden years, that term had to come from somewhere, so I began to think about "the golden" in my life.  Grant you, everything in my life is not a bed of roses, but when I weigh the golden, it tips the scales.

I don't worry so much anymore.  I have seen how God has taken care of me through some really rough years in my life and my trust in him has grown so much stronger.  He has worked his ways through the friends I cherish and the family I love. Let Go and Let God is a favorite saying of mine.  It works.

I am doing activities that I love to do.  I am traveling more and spending a lot of time with my camera.  If I don't feel like making my bed or washing the dishes for a day, I don't sweat it.  There are days I don't even bother getting dressed.  Living alone definitely has it's advantages and my "alone" time is golden.

I continue to indulge myself with a cleaning lady.  Eventho I am perfectly capable of cleaning the house, I don't want to, I don't like to.


I continue to expand my friendships.  I have a friend who once said she didn't need anymore friends, she had enough.  Never could figure that out, altho we are still friends.

I think I appreciate the little things in life much more now than when I was younger.  I was so busy focusing on the big things, home, family,and  job that  I didn't appreciate the small, everyday joys of life.  A cup of coffee and the newspaper starts my day off perfectly.  If the sun is shining, that's a bonus.

Retirement...absolutely golden.  No more early morning trips to the train station to travel to your job, coming home in the dark and starting it all over again the next day.  I don't care how much you love your job, this part is a drag.  And fyi, I didn't love my job, I liked it, but I sure didn't love it.

Oh, I cannot forget the "senior citizens discount"....love that whenever I find it, another golden advantage.

As I grow older I am focusing on the "golden" moments, maybe later there will be a post about the not so golden moments of growing older.

And this little one gives me incredible golden moments and love.....


How about you?  Do you focus on the "golden moments" of your life....even if you are not in your golden years?  I highly encourage it.

"The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you have been."  ~  Madeleine L'Engle



Until next time.....



33 comments:

  1. I think the biggest thing I have learned as I've gotten older is to appreciate the small things. Between my husband teaching me over the past 20 years to look for those small things (I think I had blinders on prior to that) and now having my co-hort, Ms. Nikon...I really have learned how to do it! It really changes your perspective on things.

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  2. Wonderful post, Deanna. I absolutely agree. All those big life things we go through are necessities, but I am thankful that I can focus on the little things now. And I do.

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  3. Hi Deanna :) I can almost smell those beautiful lilacs! You're not alone, my mom thinks the best in her bathroom (she will be thrilled to hear another lady does the same thing.

    Have a lovely day!

    Hugs to you!

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  4. Deanna, that was perfect for Tuesday Muse!

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  5. Well, you nailed it lady. You and I are not so much in the same age period -- but we are on the same wavelength. I'm not retired yet (I still have to work at our home trapping business,) but for the most part, I do what I like to do and what is important to me. And I realize how blessed I am to do so. Love your lilac image and how you have used (what I think is) one of my textures. This thrills me to see. Love ya. xo

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  6. First off before Golden, I so love those lilacs, truly wonderful.

    I love my time right now for many of the reasons you have mentioned, it gets better every year it seems. I am still a worry wart, can't stop a good thing as I am now putting it. One thing that has gotten to me lately I heard on TV or somewhere don't remember where :) that we are in our last decade. That hit me for some reason and hit me rather badly thinking of it in those terms. I don't know I don't like to think about it that way, I prefer to think of the Golden Years and so far I have no reason to complain about the golden years.

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  7. Wonderful post! I love being older and wiser and wouldn't trade this time in my life for anything. Your photos are so beautiful!

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  8. Yes! I needed to hear your words today. How did you know? :-D Thank you!!

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  9. I could say "Ditto" to this entire post. My thinking place is the same as yours. There are no distractions there. And your thoughts on aging....Right On!

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  10. Your lilac shots and textures are beautiful as are your reflections on life. I have noticed little things most of my life and then it heightened after my mother's
    death, especially with my blessing as my mom died before I married. Never met my husband or blessing so I really try to treasure the small moments with them even
    though they don't realize it.

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  11. just love these lilac images. spot on gorgeous! and bless you with many, many happy golden days. :)

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  12. Well I REAAAALLLLLY try hard to to think that I"m getting older (denial is a great thing). But I have to admit...I truly do worry less. EXCEPT about getting old. THAT still worries me :)

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  13. First of all, I must say the lilacs are gorgeous! This is a great post, and I agree with all of it!

    I was blessed to be a stay-at-home mom for most of my marriage. When my children were older I went back to work, mainly part-time. And that was off and on. I might take a few years break between jobs. :) I do love being at home and doing what I want when I want. My hubby is a sweetie who doesn't care if I decide to do nothing the entire day and say, when he comes home from work, that we are having fast food for supper! I must say that when I was much younger that I did spend too much time wishing for things I didn't have. Now, I've found peace and contentment with what I have. I don't need a lot to make me happy and love simple things. I feel very blessed. The only thing I would change at the moment is for my hubby to be older than me instead of younger and he was retired! He still has a year and a half to work. The not-so-wonderful side of growing older are the health issues. But, I try not to think about that!

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  14. Thanks for the refreshing look at growing older. I have to say that I feel the same way mostly. I have gotten more self-assured. Or at lease, I don't give a rat's butt what others think anymore. Getting older has also freed us up to do the travel we always dreamed of doing. And I love that. I know that won't last forever, but I will enjoy it while I can. However, I can't figure why anyone would think they have enough friends. I am always willing to add one more.

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  15. Having just returned from PT on my golden knee, I read this post with interest! We are so alike in so many ways, it's disturbing.
    One difference is a biggie...your artistic eye!

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  16. Oh yes, let go and let God. Some times that's easier than others though. My husband probably wishes I didn't spend as much time with my camera as I don't keep the house like I use to, and I AM the cleaning lady. Although walking around with a camera is sure cheaper than therapy right!? LOL

    Those lilacs are incredible, and I sure do miss them!

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  17. Deanna,
    You make the golden years sound like so much fun! I see many of the perks you mentioned in my Husband's parents. They are semi-retired from ranching. Semi as they come and go from the ranch as they please (or help when we really need them). They enjoy life to the fullest, family, friends, travel and more!

    The Rancher and I have many years of work ahead of us, but try to take advantage of the little things that make our lives wonderful.

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  18. How wonderful, Deanna - I love your lilac photos and your words, too! I try to focus on the "golden" of my everyday life (and I don't really love my job either... ;-) ).

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  19. Lovely, lovely shots! Too bad your friend doesn't want anymore friends, who else said that? Alice in Wonderland? whatever... You are golden dear Deanna!

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  20. I'm approaching those golden years with wide open arms. While I'm not quite there yet, I do look forward to them. You know the turmoil my life has been experiencing lately & believe me -- I have given my future a LOT of thought. But I have always "let go/let God" and continue to rely on that more and more and more. It's the only way for me to face the every day that life brings. I've also never been much of a worrier - what does it accomplish, but high blood pressure? So as a 52 year old who takes no prescribed meds other than the one that replaces my thyroid - I embrace becoming a "golden oldie" someday and you are an inspiration to me!

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  21. Gosh, such beautiful photos, Deanna! I'm not quite in my golden years, but from what I can tell from my parents, it seems so relaxed and peaceful. And well earned.

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  22. Beautiful shots- and I'm really looking forward to the golden years!

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  23. Deanna your words are so magical and draw me right into your place...so many things you wrote are as I feel, but...alas I am not a very expressive writer, so I do enjoy when one is able to write out such wonderful thoughts and feelings. I'm so looking forward to those "golden years"...just a few more months! I'm so thankful for wonderful health, means to retire and a fantastic guy of 46 years by my side, and the Lord above caring for us. Your b/w photo is so lovely of your sweet companion, and those lilacs are absolutely beautiful and filled with light. Such a joy to stop by here. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  24. I hate my job.. blah. I love your blog. I love coming here and being refreshed and leaving with a better attitude!

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  25. Love your post Deanna, much food for thought. Your images are quite lovely and I really love the touch of color in the lil' fellas tongue. Well done and well said!
    http://cherylmccainphotography.com (visiting from Texture Tuesday).

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  26. I love how you have expressed such contentment and happiness with this 'golden' stage of life! It is a wonderful time of life and I think you said it very well! You are always inspiring, Deanna! xoxo

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  27. Gorgeous lilacs. I like your thoughts today too. Wish I could put my thoughts into words. I know this. I love the life I have and am thankful for each and everyday.

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  28. YOU are the model senior citizen and I want to be just like you! This post comes at the perfect moment as I head off to my grandmothers funeral. She was fiercely independent but was so sad on the earth. I am waiting patiently as the time is very near when Austin will be on his own and I can slow down the mommy pace and start enjoying MY life! Thanks for this today Deanna

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  29. What a wonderful post my friend. I love that you have a cleaning lady just because you want to. I really had to smile at that one. I really do try to enjoy the little things in life.

    Hugs~

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  30. The little moments to moments -- has always been in my thoughts and I watch and feel them even more now as I am in my 50's..
    The photo of your sweet dog with just a little color red against the white - that's so cute..and nicely done!!!
    Hugs

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  31. Gorgeous puppy! You are blessed to have an attitude that looks for the good. I'm enjoying the golden of the early teen years. Our kids are still pretty tied in at home, and their senses of humor crack us up all the time. They are so much fun. :-)

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  32. what a fun thoughtful post - LOVE the lilac photos - I think I could smell them : ) one of my favs and we do not get them over here in Singapore.

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