The Back Nine of Life (author unknown)
I FIRST STARTED READING THIS EMAIL & WAS READING IT FAST TILL I REACHED THE THIRD SENTENCE.
I STOPPED AND STARTED OVER, READING SLOWER AND THINKING ABOUT EVERY WORD.
THIS EMAIL IS VERY THOUGHT PROVOKING. MAKES YOU STOP AND THINK. READ SLOWLY!” AND THEN IT IS WINTER!”
You know … time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just 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 the 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 back nine 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 I was only on the first hole and the back nine 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 actually see and recognize an older person now.
Some are in better and some worse shape than I…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 become. Each day now, I find that just getting out and going for a walk 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’ll just fall asleep where I sit!
And so…now I enter into this new season of my life 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!! But, at least I know, that though I’m on the back nine, and I’m not sure how long it will last…this I know, that when it’s over on this earth…a new adventure will begin!
Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn’t done, things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I’m happy to have done. It’s all in a lifetime. So, if you’re not on the back nine 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 you’re on the back nine 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!!
“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.
LIVE IT WELL! DO SOMETHING JUST FOR FUN! BE HAPPY !
“It is health that is real wealth and not the pieces of gold and silver.
Comment
In October 2014 I reached the big 80 & in February 2015 I will have reached 60 years in Freemasonry. How the years fly by and the memories grow!!
One of my very favourite Guru’s (Dr Wayne Dyer) has a saying that has always
“Put me in My Place” He states, and I quote:-
“You can’t; Could Have; Should Have ; or Might Have: Anything “
PUTTING THIS INTO PERSPECTIVE
The person you are at this moment is, in my case, the result of 80 Plus years on this Earth, & were I to change even just one little thing, there is the huge probability that I would not be sharing this message with you today.
Have a Wonderful day & God Bless
Norm