What’s Your Plan?

Photo by Afrah on Unsplash

It’s hard to believe it is almost mid- August already. Where has the summer gone? I remember early May like it was yesterday. Easter was over, I was anticipating a summer of KDE weddings, and preparations for my own son’s wedding were building.

Fast forward almost three months later. I am trying to relish every single day of August (well, the ones where it doesn’t rain) and count my blessings. I didn’t have a single rain day on any of my outdoor weddings. What a blessing! My daughter has moved home. We now have three dogs and life is overflowing.

I wonder sometimes what life will be like in twenty years. Turning the big six-oh this year is something I’m going to celebrate. But twenty years added to me now equals eighty. Will I live in a tiny house on my daughter’s future farm? Will I be in a senior housing apartment (doubtful). Maybe I’ll still be here, on an acre of ground, trying to figure out how to keep it all mowed.

I ask people sometimes if they have plans for their senior days. Most of them look at me with a blank expression on their face. They can’t imagine it I guess. But I do think about it. When you care for an aging parent you cannot help think of it.

At times I straddle the now world with the one in the future. I preach about living in the moment but I do think that reality dictates that we make some plans.

My mom is dependent on me for anything outside her home and some things on the inside. Shopping for groceries, laundry, picking up her medications, doctor appointments, church. This does makes me think of my own elder time, which isn’t all that far away. Am I going to pay someone to help me? Try to maintain my independence?

I think that most people don’t even think about what their needs will be in the future. As I try and enjoy everyday life, deal with the sorrows and the celebrations, pay bills, and anticipate holidays, somewhere lurks the possibility of quiet retirement. I pray that my health will be good and my strength will hold out. I also am a firm believer in what you give will come back to you. I nurture my relationships with my cousins, children, and grandchildren. I hope they look out for me and I think they will. Â đŸ™‚

Taking care of my mom has taught me that you need to have thoughts of a plan. Just a tiny one. Nurture relationships with people you trust that can care and look out for you. Then go and enjoy your days, your children, your spouse, and your moments.

Photo by Lisheng Chang on Unsplash
It's nice to share. Thank you.

5 Replies to “What’s Your Plan?”

  1. Good morning, Joanne? wow this hit home with me! It amazes me, and it is also hard to believe, that you and I are thinking about the exact same thing. Actually, this is something I was pondering in church just this morning. On my way home, I pick up my phone & see this post . I know it is not a coincidence, but God doing his work. “What’s My Plan?” has been on my mind quite a bit lately, & I have been pushing it aside . I am an only child & cared for my mom until she passed at 95, my dad until he passed at 87, and also Jim & I helped his brother & wife care for his lovely mom until well into her late 80’s. As you said, when you care ( or have cared) for an aging parent, you can’t help think about it. It truly is real!! 70 hit me hard, and it became a reality that the next decade is the 80’s, and I know “too well” what that brings, eventhough our parents tried the best they could to be independent. I never really gave 60 much thought, because moving to the the 70’s didn’t sound as bad as heading toward the 80’s ?! Jim and I really don’t have a plan yet, and I am not sure why( most likely denial)! Anyway, my plan at 73 is to stay as physically active and busy as I can possibly be. I try not to sit too much( haha). I don’t want to go into my 80’s being frail. I remember when I thought I would be “forever 50” then I was “suddenly 60!” Enjoy your 60’s, Joanne. They are good years! Thanks for sharing your thoughts?

    1. Hi Cindy, so it is on our minds and others as well too. It is something we do need to think about. The family members you took care of were very blessed to have you there. I know what a sacrifice it is to help an elderly family member. We should talk about this someday over coffee (as soon as the wedding is over!)- I’d really like to have conversations around this. God bless- xo Joanne

  2. You may be one of the wisest, most generous women I know. You have the grace and balance to both live in the present and be mindful of the future.
    My husband just told me this morning how the years are flying by…all of the sudden! I told him that it was simple math: at 10-years old, one year is 1/10th of your life. At 50, one year is 1/50th – you know which fraction feels faster.
    Thank you for always knowing what to say even when you didn’t know I needed to hear it. You are the best. xoxox

    1. I chuckled when I read your comment! I doesn’t take long to see the kids grow up, leave for college, get married, have children. I don’t know where the time has gone. You are the best too. xoxo

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