Getting old composition on Facebook

George Dannewald posted this on Facebook

August 9 at 9:26 AM

I have posted it on my blog giving a unique perspective as a Alzheimers patient posted in purple text.

A WINTER FRIEND 

AND THEN IT IS WINTER
You know time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems like yesterday that I was young, just married, and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all those years went. 

I know that I lived them all.

  I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams. 

But, here it is... the winter of my life, and it catches me by surprise... How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go? I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those "older people" were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like. 

But, here it is...my friends are retired and getting grey... they move slower and I see an older person in myself now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me... but, I see the great change... Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant...but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be. 

Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! 

And taking a nap is not a treat anymore... it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will... I just fall asleep where I sit! 

Check for sleep apnea.  I wear a sleep apnea mask and can avoid taking a nap.

And so... now I enter this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!!

I had Alzheimer’s diagnosed in Dec 2017.  I have DM type two.  I believe that has aged me.  I benefitted from cataract surgery and new hearing aides. Wonderful.  I am blessed I have very little pain.  I find if I exercise daily with easy 20 minute walk, stretching for 10 minutes and 20 minutes of easy weight lifting I can get back into fair shape. I have given up skiing and bike riding due to poor balance. I am fortunate to have had a very full life with great family and travel and education. 

 But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last... this I know, that when it's over on this earth... it's over. A new adventure will begin! 

When your number is up, it's up.  I was fearful to die young as I desired to see the world. Now I am not so fearful.  I have an incurable disease and was worried I might not be me in two years.  I am 20 months since my diagnosis and will finish my YEAR TWO book on my Alzheimers  in Dec 2019.  Wondering how much time I have till I forget who I am has been difficult as I can't find books with timelines of the progress of the disease.  Most books are about the suffering of the family caring for the person.  I hope to finish 5 years of books about how I am doing with Alzheimers to give others hope.

Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done... things I should have done, but indeed, there are also many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime. 

So, if you're not in your winter yet... let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life, please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long!! Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can TODAY, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not! 

You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life... so, LIVE FOR TODAY and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember.. and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!! 

During my life I heard the refrain, "Live for Today." I found I couldn't do that and I didn't want to do it. First of all I had the goal of becoming a Physician.  I wasn't interested in partying.  After college I still had Medical school (4 yrs) Residency (4 yrs) Fellowship (2 yrs).  Planning the future was a major priority.  Remembering the past also very important. (I will lose that soon, right now it is mostly recent memory which is not so bad.  Enjoying the present very important but usually requires past and future brightness. 

"Life" is a GIFT to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one. 

Remember: "It is Health that is real Wealth and not pieces of gold and silver." 

True but I would quote Victor Hugo, "Life is to Give" We can't often choose our health.

~Your kids are becoming you......but your grandchildren are perfect!
~Going out is good.. coming home is even better!  
~You forget names... but it's OK, because other people forgot they even knew you!!!  
~You realize you're never going to be really good at anything.... especially golf.
~The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that you don't care to do them anymore. 

~You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than in bed. It's called "pre-sleep."
~You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" switch..
~You tend to use more 4 letter words ... "what?"..."when?"...??? 
~Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it's not safe to wear it anywhere.
~You notice everything they sell in stores is "sleeveless?!"
~What used to be freckles are now liver spots.
~Everybody whispers.
~You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet.... 2 of which you will never wear. 

~But "Old" is good in some things:
Old Songs, Old movies ... 
and best of all, our dear ...OLD FRIENDS!! 

Stay well, "OLD FRIEND!" 

Send this on to other "Old Friends" and let them laugh in agreement!

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