Are You Aging?

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                                                      Mom and me                                 

I've watched a number of people age.  I've watched as they've had to accept that they can no longer do things they used to do.

The thing is, nobody talks about grieving the loss of your younger self, but it can really be a big deal.

Whether one grieves the loss of steady hands, or knees that are uncooperative, it becomes a dance between finding treatment and acceptance.

The added challenge is when your brain tricks you into thinking you are younger than your chronological age, but your body allows no such illusion.

God bless her, I remember my husband's grandma jumping rope in our kitchen many years ago.  She must have been 90+ at the time. Seeing our young daughter with her rope, she recalled her own days of jumping rope and gave it a try. To this day, I have no idea how she pulled it off, but she did.  Mind over matter, I guess.

A long time ago, as a 30 year old, I developed rheumatoid arthritis. The process took three years to get me in remission, but it added a lifetime deposit of acceptance and humility.

It doesn't matter if you are 30, or 90, sometimes our bodies don't work like we want them to, and it is important to allow the grieving process to proceed so that we can reach a place of acceptance.

Despite what commercials tell us, we are so much more than our physical agility, our beauty, and our intellect.  Made in the image of God, we are created to find joy, even in our pain and suffering.  Some days are harder than others; it is definitely something to pray about.

Every, single, person has value, no matter their level of contribution to society, or activity. If you are aging, or if you are around someone who is, have respect for the process (and the person), for the love of God within each of us requires great respect and dignity.

Janet Cassidy 
janetcassidy.com
https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/
https://www.youtube.com/@janetcassidy



 

 

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