Sixty and Whose Counting?

Age, it’s really just a number, right? I have never really looked my age, when I was a mere 13 years old, people thought I was in my twenties. Now that I am sixty, people tell me I look younger. I was, however, born an old soul. I have lived many, many lives. I am not talking the mystic reincarnation, but in my own lifetime.

One of my most favorite poems, written by the great, Stanley Kunitz, is titled “The Layers”. The poem resonates in my soul. I feel, as Kunitz, wrote, “ I have walked through many lives, “ . My journey has not always been easy, if it were, I would not be whom I am today. So, I breathe deep, take in the lessons I have gathered in me and strive to move forward. Moving forward requires my aging, getting older. Why fight it when so many I have loved never made it this far.

I tell myself, the number does not bother me, and it truly does not. What does bother me is the fact I have left many things undone. So here I sit at the grand age of sixty contemplating what I can do about it. The past is done, I cannot go back, nor would I want. I can only strive to do the things that really matter and treasure this age.

Today is the day, a new day left wide open. I shall walk into it not in fear, but in praise of the One who has given me this most precious gift. I can only imagine what lies ahead, and I am ready.

Teresa Gale
2017

My Year of 59

Age is not anything to run away from, it's a celebration of life and love. So my year of 59, began as an awareness of leaving parts of the past behind and taking a journey to trying, doing, and experiencing not only new things, but life itself.

In recent years I have faced some debilitating heath issues that both frustrated me and whirled me into a depression of sorts. I am not a " oh feel sorry for me" person, but I did find myself in, "woe is me" mode for a time. I was shaken out of this dismal state shortly after watching my father succumb to his own health issues. He was chair bound for a few years and grew weaker and weaker by day. It hurt my heart to see this once strong, vital, full of life man become a victim of his illness.

Not long after his death I woke up from my own foggy sleep and began to lift myself into action. I decided I could stay still and allow this to beat me or I could live the life God blessed me with one day at a time. I began to move, slowly at first and painfully back into my life.

The year of 59, is the start of new discovery, letting go of what I no longer can do and embrace what I can do. I am not placing limitations on my self, I am living each day with purpose. I am embracing this older self and making peace with my crinkled neck, crows feet and gray hair, well maybe not the gray hair just yet.There are some days I have to make a concerted effort to push past the pain and go forward.

I lost a dear friend last year who had been trapped unwillingly with ALS. Her spirit and love of God so inspired me. She is a remarkable woman who has forever touched my heart and soul. I miss her dearly and keep her often wise words close to my heart daily. I will not allow my faith be shaken. I believe, as she did, God has a purpose and plan for each of us.

So here I go on my new journey. I will live each day with determination, faith in God, and with the grace my friend Beth instilled in me.

Teresa Gale
2/26/17