One thing that you discover as you get older is that things change. Well, things change your whole life. But you just don't realize it. Maybe it's because, as you get older, less interests you. After 77 years, I certainly haven't done everything, but I've done most of what I wanted. I've never wanted to jump out of a perfectly good airplane with a bedsheet strapped to my ass, for example.
But I have traveled, I have had the most exciting job a man could ask for. I worked in the auto industry back in the late '60's, and really liked it. (Better take your car for a safety check. I may have worked on it.
)I got to go to Europe once for 3 years. I worked out in the bush in Alaska for 3 years. I rode a motorcycle for many years (broke both collar bones on it, lol. Drinking and riding. Very stupid.) I actually survived living and working in L.A. for 5 years, lol. I have a son I wouldn't trade the world for.
I have been a good person and I have been an asshole. I regret those parts (parts - plural, lol.) But I have managed to live til now, age 77-3/4. (March 18th.) I have been extremely lucky to have the life and the family that I have had. I have known folks that became good or best friends, I have known folks whom I wasn't so crazy about. I expect the feeling was mutual, lol.
But as you get older, you start to mellow out. You don't want to take as many chances. You don't want to work so hard. You don't want to deal with controversy. You DO want to love, you want to travel, you want to enjoy family and friends.
I have always been somewhat of a loner. I've never needed anyone else to complete me, altho having others around you is certainly a very good and very desirable thing. And I do believe that my marriage was more due to being secretly lonely, or maybe some inner urge that told me I needed to get married. I don't know. I do know that it only lasted 3 years, well, 2-1/2 before she left, lol. But I got the greatest son I could ask for, so certainly wouldn't trade him for the world.
So here's what I wish for you. Try not to worry. I know, things are tough now, tougher for some than others. But, life is FULL of difficulty. Some small, some much larger. But, it's part of life. I don't have any words of encouragement other than "Keep the Faith." It may not seem like much, but, believe me. If you will simply believe, and continue to look forward, you WILL get thru your rough times and back to better.
In reading the morning paper, I ran across this quote. It's by George Washington Carver.
"How far you go in life depends on you being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because, some day, you will be all of these."
Believe me, its true. At my age, as I sit around listening to Christmas music, it brings back so many memories of Christmases past. Christmases with family, Christmases with friends. And, very simply, appreciating the feeling of love and caring that comes over me every Christmas. So, even tho I don't "celebrate" Christmas anymore, I still give gifts to family and a couple of special friends. I still remember Christmases in Detroit. We would always go downtown because downtown Detroit really was, with all the lights and decorations, a winter wonderland.
Hudson's Dep't Store downtown was a massive store, second in size to Macy's in New York. The bottom floor, facing the street, were the display windows where they would have the mannequins wearing the latest fashions. For Christmas, the mannequins went away and every window was filled with beautiful animated displays. It was truly fantastic. A "Winter Wonderland," if you will.
So, to you, to all of my friends here whom I DO love, I say, Merry Christmas. I hope your season and your LIFE are filled with fun, with laughter and with love. Everyone deserves those. If things are a little rough for you now, get out and find someone else who needs help. Volunteer at a food bank to distribute Christmas meals. Focus your energies on someone else and I guarantee you, you will go home tired, but oh, so happy with feel good feelings.
Now it's time to ROCK AND ROOOOOOOLLLLLLLLL!
