As the weeks, months, years go by I can't help to notice the changes that are being made in my life. That's ok. I am not complaining but I do think about this aging process and how it will all end up.
The other day I made up a little story about how I was feeling. I told my baby daughter... she understood, supported, listened. Same with my son but when I told this story to my daughter Shirley along with 2 of our friends, she and one of the friends just didn't get it... sort of made fun of me.
So, I decided I'd tell my little story to you and see what kind of reaction I get from you.
It was a cloudy winter day and a bird was flying high in the sky. He had an ice cube in his talons and suddenly he dropped the ice cube and it fell down to the ground. It landed on the sidewalk.
It was cold so the ice cube just sat there .... for a long, long time. Just being what it was meant to be.
Then the weather got warmer. The ice cube started to sweat just a little around it's top. After awhile some trickles of water slid down it's sides and after some time puddles began to form on the sidewalk around her.
She realized that she was smaller, still an ice cube but part of her was not with her anymore so she felt sad. The puddles grew larger and larger as the sun shone brighter and brighter. She knew that one of these days she would only be a puddle.
I am that ice cube. Being dropped from that bird was my birth into this world and I spent years sitting on that sidewalk being me. Now, I see myself diminishing, sweating away lifes time, trickles begin forming around me and I am growing smaller and smaller.
I thought is was a great analogy but evidently my daughter couldn't see the picture. It is rather nutty, isn't it. But, that was how I was feeling and I am entitled to that. Right?
I think that's a great bit of writing and it totally makes sense to me.
ReplyDeleteSounds just like my life, too!
ReplyDeletebobbie
I think it is beautiful, and so very relevant to your life as well as mine. Lovely, my friend!
ReplyDeleteI think that's a great analogy and I feel that way too.
ReplyDeleteThis little ice cube thinks yours is a great analogy!
ReplyDeleteHi Latane, I understand your story and it's so true of our lives.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very vivid analogy and exactly what life seems to do. I think about it often at 65. I may be melting, but my memories are still here, in the puddle with me! (:
ReplyDeleteIt's your story. Stick with it. Turning 75 the other day I recognize myself in your story.
ReplyDeleteOh Latane, your daughter doesn't want to acknowledge that you are melting, but we are all ice cubes, aren't we? She just loves you so much. I think you are a wonderful writer, and I love when I visit here and you've written something new. Hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteLatane, I think you really 'hit the nail on the head' with this story...it's what our age group understand and feel. I can vouch for that at 82! Perhaps younger people can't have these same feelings about life and the aging process - I don't think I did - and maybe that's for the best. Let them have wonderful lives while they can. Meanwhile, we have our memories of those more active days, are grateful and happy they did exist, and just hope we still have more to come.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas dear, enjoy the special moments.
Hugs - Mary
It is a great analogy, Latane! The way you feel cannot be changed or discounted. It is what it is.
ReplyDeleteI've done research on disease trajectory . As we age, we have so many tings that just wear out. For me it is my knees. Then shoulders. It's just the way it is.
I think your daughter gets it, she just doesn't want to acknowledge it.
ReplyDeletePerhaps your daughter doesn't think that age has diminished your value to her? Changed your abilities, absolutely, but diminished your value to her and the friends and others? Absolutely not! Age can limit us, BUT, everything you are or ever were or will still be is there in that lovely puddle. She loves you and doesn't want you to let yourself believe for one moment that you are less.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand your story. I'm 74 and know I am not what I used to be. It's sad but such is life.
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