One weekend in late August, my two brothers, Morley and Eric, and their wives joined Kay and me at a schools reunion in Gander. This was a reunion of former students from both the Amalgamated and Roman Catholic schools. This wonderful weekend, entitled “Sentimental Journey”, presented an opportunity to meet old classmates and to reflect on the swiftness of passing time. Round about the same time, I received an article from Everett Hobbes about growing old. After some thought, I considered combining the reunion thoughts and the article submitted by Everett with messages of making the most of every day and putting your financial house in order. I concluded, therefore, that both provided a worthwhile background or justification for the need to get a will and to update your estate plan. Unfortunately the author for this reflection is unknown so I can give no credit except to Rev. Everett for passing it on to me. Enjoy!
"You know, time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. And yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all.
And I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams. But, here it is, the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise.
How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my babies go? And where did my youth go?
I remember well ... seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like. But, here it is...wife retired and she's really getting gray; she moves slower and I see an older woman now. She's in better shape than me, but, I see the great change...not the one I married who was young and vibrant...but, like me, her age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be.
Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore...it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will...I just fall asleep where I sit!
And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things.
But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last. This I know, that when it's over...it's over. Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done; things I should have done. But indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime.
So, if you're not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly!
Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, because you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not!
You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life; so, live for good today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...
"Life is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who came after. Make it a fantastic one."Live, Love and Laugh
LIVE IT WELL!!"
Kevin Smith is the gift planning consultant for the Anglican Church of Canada. He can be contacted at 709 739-5667 or by email at k_smith@nf.sympatico.ca.
