Life moves along. One happening leads to another. If I stop long enough, I can hear my breathe and feel my heart ticking. This is what today is. The first day of spring I notice the green leaves budding on the dogwood bush and the neighbor’s cherry tree starting to show pink buds. The fragrance will be heavenly very soon with the cherry blossoms in full bloom. The dogwood trees will be soon after. For today, it feels wonderful to slow down.
I attended a couple of birthday parties these past few days, as well as attended another funeral. Happy celebrations for my 90-year-old father-in-law as well as for our 2-year-old grandson. Another birthday is coming very soon, the birth of my great-grandson. I anticipate a baby gift to be delivered this week, and I am excited to see this special stuffed bunny. As life is, as probably for you as well, we experience a mixed bag of emotions on any given day. I am saddened to know a loved one my age has unexpectantly passed on. Not too long ago it was my brother, but this time a kind friend. Death is so finite here on earth, but there is a promise of eternal life through Jesus.
When all is said and done, I thank our God for the life He gives. Today is the day of salvation. Today is the day to give praise to God. Today I live and have my being. This song comes to mind and I sing the lyrics written by Randy Sparks, which have been sung by many including John Denver.
“Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine, I’ll taste your strawberries, I’ll drink your sweet wine. A million tomorrows shall all pass away, ere I forget all the joy that is mine today.”
As I age I am more aware of the limitations of my own body. I was never an accomplished athlete, although I played a mean game of tetherball as a kid as well as softball in my youth into my middle adult years. I have been fortunate with fairly good health. So many do not have this. These past few years I also have been made aware of death. Another family member has passed away, not to return to this earthly life but pass onto his heavenly body. Thank God for the eternal salvation he and we have in Christ Jesus!
Aging
Aging came with hard work and active play.
Hands in the dirt, body stooped downward
to grow the trees and flowers to beauty full array.
Age spots, stretch marks, and belly rolls came
with each sunburn, baby, and those homemade recipes.
Hopefully aging with grace into this older woman I became.
These wrinkles do not melt away with the sun.
Unlike the layers of ice on the window
that drip, drip with the warmth of the sun.
Somehow those suntans subtract, then add age.
Camouflaged with lotions and makeup,
those wrinkles became more defined with age.
A gray here and there in my already multi-colored hair.
My first streak of silver looked intentional,
But one streak turned into more streaks to wear.
Bald patches, seasons of stress replaced with fun.
Hair loss eventually replaced with more white,
now volumes pulled up into a messy grandma’s bun.
Waking up in the morning it is harder to move.
House cleaning and plant tending chores
challenge this aging body to keep a groove.
That arthritis causes the joints to painfully inflame.
The irony is to keep moving those joints,
alternatively, idleness will be the ultimate blame.
The eyes grow dimmer, reading glasses to aid.
Fashion aware by the style and color of the lens’ frame
with these circling back around with a 40-year cycle made.
“Grandma glasses”, “grandma jeans”, “grandma bun”, they say.
What does it matter, I learn to comfort dress,
live how I want, with what I want, and with whom I may.
Memories come and go with each passing day.
Past photos capture and poems reflect,
some words said and not said are regrets today.
Other words remembered bringing warmth to the heart.
Like “I love you”, “I do”, “forgive me”, “I forgive you”,
and the wordless, kind gestures play a lasting part.
With you by my side come what may.
We will weather the threatening storms together
even to your last breath and my last day.
No matter who passes on first, the aging body will have its last word.
That word, the hardest will be saying “goodbye”,
Although our ageless spirits live on as promised by God’s word.
Anna Gall ~ January 21, 2024
"O death, where then your victory? Where then your sting? For sin—the sting that causes death—will all be gone; and the law, which reveals our sins, will no longer be our judge. How we thank God for all of this! It is He who makes us victorious through Jesus Christ our Lord!" ~ 1 Corinthians 15:55 - 57
Woman Warrior 