Mid-Life Aging… Gracefully
I’ve been reading a book called The Age of Miracles by Marianne Williamson and enjoying the conversation about mid-life and the aging process for the baby boomer generation. Having time to think during my rehabilitation the past several months has brought to mind decisions I wanted to put off for a few more years. Like what? Well thinking about giving up a house that has four levels for one thing, having a broken ankle and being restricted to the family room all winter was quite an eye opener.
The question arises, how do we age gracefully? What decisions do we make and when do we make them?
Somehow we all think we have “time” to make those tough decisions later, unfortunately I’ve witnessed both family and clients that struggle with these issues. I remember my father in law as being very organized about his aging, his chronic illness and his preparation for end of life. He was so prepared about his life ending that he made sure everyone in the family knew he had “taken care” of all those decisions about his funeral. I think his adult children were more uncomfortable with his straight forward conversations but we all appreciated his ability to make it easier for us at his death, we missed him but at least we didn’t have to wonder what he would have wanted.
I’ve watched others around me struggle to admit there are problems or unmet needs as they age and it can sometimes end up being a power struggle over lifestyle decisions. When to give up driving, when is it no longer safe to live at home alone, when do you need to involve a loved one in on your physician visits and medical information? I’ve learned there are no easy answers, each family is different and certainly each situation is unique. I wonder if it’s really OK to just allow for consequences to occur when our loved one’s simply want to be in control of their life decisions irregardless of what their family or children think.
This winter has been a time of reflection; as more of our family members and friends begin to retire it makes me wonder how this happened. Children are graduating, getting married, starting careers and families and sometimes we lose our loved ones too soon to death. I’ve decided I will age gracefully, with a sense of humor, curiousity and proud to continue to learn and experience what life unfolds. I will embrace my future looking forward to what I’ll accomplish in the best years ahead and if I can begin to make life decisions that make life easier for us why not?
I’m beginning to let go of “stuff” in preparation for a simpler life, unencumbered, recognizing the most important things in life are the people around me.
Blessings,
Mary
June 15, 2010
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Mary · 
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Tags: Aging Gracefully, aging parents, loss, Senior Caregiving · Posted in: Uncategorized
Mary Chapa, RN is a multi-talented woman with a background in nursing leadership, quality management and business development in both health care and private industry. Mary is also a writer and passionate holistic health practitioner living in Minnesota.
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