Friday, November 12

Life Intrudes...

One of my neighbors died this week. She was a perfectly lovely woman of 87 years, who acted and appeared to be much younger. You would swear she was not a day over 75. She was gracious, intelligent, a wonderful artist and a very caring person. Her illness was diagnosed about six months ago, but many of us only learned of it recently. I sent a card, but I feel as though I didn't really have time to say a proper goodbye.

The last line of her obit said something like this:  Be a little kinder to and more understanding of the people you meet. She will know this, and it will make her happy. What a lovely directive; one to which we should all aspire. Rachel, I'm promising to try and do that from now on. Rest in peace, my friend.

Another friend's mother, I have just learned, had to be placed in a nursing home this week, and the future does not look good for her or her family. As I get older, and hear more often about situations like this, it gets more and more stressful. At this time in my life, I would hope for life to be almost stress-free. I have had my share of it over the years (much of it self-induced, I think.) I'm ready to have it out of my life, but I'm starting to doubt that will ever happen. The old prayer comes to mind..."God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change....."

14 comments:

Peter said...

The problem is Judy, its not just us getting older its our friends and family too.

Arkansas Patti said...

I am so sorry for your loss Judy. We never know when we will lose someone so we often don't get in those last goodbyes.
Wonderful words about kindness that we all need to keep closer to our hearts. The Serenity prayed is to live by also.

Evil Twin's Wife said...

I'm sorry to hear about your friend. Many of my friends are losing their parents, it's not unusual to see a classmate of the Evil Twin's obituary (all around 51 yrs old). It's just sad all the way around.

Grannymar said...

The Serenity prayer is a regular for me. In the past four days I have heard of several friends whose health is causing concern.

Celia said...

A loss for you and the world she lived, I'm very sorry.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I must say Judy, lately, more and more peole that I know are either quite ill, or are dying OR, have died! It is all very depressing and the harbinger of things to come....
So very sorry about your friend and neighbor. I love that last line of her Obit. I too will try to do that more.

Pat said...

So sorry you have lost a friend.

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change....."
Whilst he's doing you could he squeeze me in too please?

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to hear of your neighbor's passing. I like those lines from her obit, and so will remember to be kinder and more understanding. It's very good advice.

Looking to the Stars said...

Sorry about your neighbor. Rachel sounds like she was a wonderful person. I really enjoyed the last line of her obit.

My hubby is 50 & out of his closest friends only 2 are left. The others died from accidents & cancers (& yes I'm older then he is :)

I watched as his grandfather (his father's father) was put in a nursing home. I didn't care for it but on the other hand his grandmother (his mother's mother) was put in one & they took such good care of her to the very end. I think this is what I would want.

When she was 82 she moved into assisted living with a nursing home connected. By 92 she could no longer live alone & moved to the other side. She stayed active & passed away at the age of 98. She had a good life :)

There are rainbows at the beginning, middle & end of our lives. Don't stress, you will be fine :)

srp said...

If we could start out with the wisdom we have now but have our bodies grow a bit younger through time... perhaps the world would be better. The young could use the added wisdom and the old could use fewer aches and pains.

I think the Apostle Paul said... If at all possible, live in peace with all men. A good thing to aspire for... living in peace, without compromising principles.

Jean Campbell said...

I already have a role model for when I have to go to the Home. Miss Susan Peoples had to go to the Home after her sister Annie died because Annie was the one who drove. I feared that would be the end of Miss Susan, never married, always lived in virtual country seclusion with her sister.

Next thing I knew, Miss Susan's picture was in the paper, being made up by the local Mary Kay rep. Soon she was President of the Residents' Group. There is hope.

colleen said...

I remember reading about an obit during the Iraq war where a woman who died asked in lieu of flowers to send money to a campaign to impeach President Bush.

fire in the hooooole said...

good post. God is good inspite of the the bad things that are happening to us.,

Anonymous said...

RIP, Rachel, who left such a nice quote for all of us in her obit. Now I see why my post on aging/nursing homes et al struck home with you.