Time Out to Reach Out.
Time Out to Refresh and Reach Out.
Wealthy Affiliate has had to take a back seat for a little while.
We have been taking a few days away from the farm and the computer. It is so good to get away and into a different environment and get some perspective on life. Yesterday we went to the opera on the Lakes which was absolutely wonderful and todaay we spent visiting a very old friend who is confined to a nursing home. We took him out for the day then had dinner in a local restaurant. We have had a fabulous couple of days but sadly cows and sheep and farms do not allow us much time away and we must return to the farm tomorrow.
When you spend time with an old friend suffering from advanced Parkinsons disease you become intensely aware of the frailty of life and how quickly and savagely it can change . He is the same age as us but no longer able to care for himself. He thoroughly enjoyed the outing just as we enjoyed spending time with him. We live 6 hours away so it is not something we can do frequently but it did make us think about other people, even in our home town who may also be confined.
They need to get out from time to time, to feel loved and fully human again. It is only by the Grace of God that we are not the ones in that situation. It could be anyone of us, stuck in a small room in a nursing home, where few people bother to visit and most of the other people suffer dementia and are incapable of an intelligent conversation.
My hubby and I both discussed these thoughts at the end of the day and we both felt very strongly that it is not something we would wish for ourselves or for anyone else. It is a sad way to be spending the closing chapters of life on earth. Qestions we are finding ouselves asking now are , " How would we feel in this situation?"
" What can we do for others in this situation?"
We will be seeking out ways we can reach out to others to bring some sunshine into their otherwise boring and mundane existance. Old age with all the issues such as frailty of body and absence of mind can be quite confronting but every one of us will one day become aged and it will be different and possily challenging for each of us.
How we live our lives now may very well determine how we end our lives later on. WE need to stay fit and healthy in both body and mind. A nutritious diet, plenty of exercise and mental stimulation are all essential to give us the best possible chance of living a full life as we get older.
Set a routine while you are young and continue as long as you can, right into old age... Wealthy Affiliate will provide plenty of mental stimulation to keep the mind engaged and functioning.
Recent Comments
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You provide good food for thought. I am 80 and would not be at all happy in the situation you described. Yes, it is important to let older folks confined to home that they are still important to others and cared about. I am so lucky to be able to do much of what I want to do. Not everyone is so lucky.
Thank you Fran. Nursing home life i not for me either . Most of the people we see in there sit like zombies before a TV which they are not watching. Our friend is severely affected with Parkinsons and his wife died last year so he had to move into care.
You don't look anything like 80 years of age and wor you have produced four books and another on the way,. I am really impressed.
Our neighbours (Sigi and Gunter Weller ) were from Fairbanks. You might know them, they worked as Geo scientists.
Hi there young Fran. You are amazing. Thank you for your comments. Nursing Home life is not something we would want either, so it is important to stay fit and well as long as we can.
I am really impressed that you are about to publish your fifth book.
Our neighbours Sigi and Guter Weller , came from Fairbanks. They were both Geo scientists . I just thought since you are the same age you may have come across them.
Cheers
Judy
Hmmm--guess I need to update my profile. I have already published my fifth book. Now am limiting my writing to posts for my website -- and, believe me, that's enough. Posting every 3 days.
Wonderful post that hits close to home rigbt now.i am currengly staying at my in laws mom 88 has Alzheimer's and dad at 90 is in the moderate stages of dementia..they have 12 hr caregivers in home plus us but it is sooo hard to watch. Also very humbling as dad used to be so intellegent and witty. Frustrats him because i think on some level he still knoknkows what is happening.
I can say though after 69 years of marriage they still know each other ☺
Thank you cor posting and i know ur friend deeply appreciated the visit
Thank you Cathy for your comments It is very hard to watch those you love slowly disappear fro their physical bodies. Have you watched "The Notebook" ?
It is lovely that your in laws still know and love each other after 69 years.. They do seem to be well supplied with care givers too and still being able to stay at home is wonderful.
Yes it is one of my favorite movies
Lots of caregivers yes it is allowing them to stay home till the end
Sibling and in laws like mysdlf also live in town plus tbe reg. caregivers couldnt ask for better
But very very hard to watch
Good advice and a great post. I watched my step mom slowly fade into Alzheimer's vacant abyss as my Dad watch helpless. She had to go to a nursing home when my Father could no longer take care of her on his own. He visited her every day for three years. Even though near the end she didn't know who he was anymore he still was there for her.
Stay strong and healthy it is our only defence.
Cheers
Murray
Thank you for your comments Murray. Most of the people we saw inn the Nursing home had dementia or Alzheimers . Our friend has Parkinsons but still has a sharp and highly intelligent brain. There is no one other than the staff for him to have a conversation with.
Have you watched "The Notebook"? If not I recommend it. Its a beautiful story just like your Dad ad Step Mum
Cheers
Wonderful post! I love how you added WA in there :)
Best of luck on your journey to success!
Thanks Amy. Life can pass us by so quickly, we need to cherish every moment and make it count.
All the best to you too
Judy
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Hi Judith
Taking a deep breath
Is a great way to center our beings
Thank you for sharing