Moving Forward

I can’t go back to yesterday because I was a different person then.

Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Life presents moments that I yearn to relive, while others leave me longing for their conclusion. I must admit that I’m not unhappy with this phase of my life. Contrary to popular belief, aging isn’t a relentless onslaught of trials and tribulations. The truth is, the intensity of these challenges is largely shaped by our own perceptions. Each age brings its own set of difficulties, but I’ve come to realize that as we age, our past experiences offer us a valuable perspective on how to navigate these challenges. Many of the obstacles we encounter are familiar, and we’ve accumulated the wisdom and resilience to overcome them.

Our society often stereotypes senior adults as slow, less capable, and incompetent, making them the butt of jokes. I experienced this firsthand when my husband and I had lunch at a restaurant we enjoy because of its retro ambiance. The dark paneled walls and red leather booths surrounded the horseshoe bar, and I must admit, it has a slightly older clientele.

The last time we visited, I informed the server that we needed the check because we had a play to attend. He inquired about the play, and I mentioned that it was about two women sharing a room in a retirement home. To my surprise, he proceeded to tell us that the restaurant we were in would be an ideal setting for such a play and went on to engage in a whole routine about older adults.I prefer my humor to be more subtle, so I found his jokes less funny.

We have no choice but to continue moving forward.life”> Matt Haig writes, “I understand that the way you stop time is by stopping being ruled by it.” Cherish each moment, find happiness in the present, and stop wishing for what was. Life moves on regardless of our feelings about it.

Peace be with you.