Written by Robert J. Tinsky, Oblong, Illinois - Copyrighted 2008

   This past month my wife and I visited with two different friends who have moved from their homes into a retirement facility. This has resulted in a rather drastic change in their lives. They have had to give up their home, much of their furniture and be separated from friends that they have known for many years. In one case the couple has also given up their automobile and the privilege of coming and going at will.Â

    Both of these friends have dealt with this period of transition in their life style with mixed emotions. They expressed regret mostly about being apart from so many dear friends. In spite of the changes they have had to make they all realized that the change was for the best and have come to accept their new living facilities with grace and dignity.

    Let's face it, as we grow older we can all expect some changes in our life style. Some of these changes come on rather unexpectedly as the result of an accident or a serious illness. The fact that our income may decrease at the same time that the cost of living continues to go up and up causes us to make some serious changes. The loss of a mate leads to some of the most dreaded and necessary changes in our manner of living.

     When we are faced with any of these changes we have two choices--we will either resent the changes and become bitter and crotchety old persons or we will accept what we can not change and resolve to be happy in our circumstances. I don't relish the thought of being limited by some infirmity of the flesh. I don't look forward to the time when I have to relinquish my driving privileges. I, like most people I know, would prefer to remain in my own home until it comes time for me to "check out" and make my way to the home Jesus has prepared for me.
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    Acceptance is the attitude that makes all the difference in how we deal with the changes that are going to come as we grow old. Someone has said: "Our attitude toward life determines life's attitude toward us." I have an article in my file about a man who is always in a good mood and who always has something positive to say. When he was asked how he could be such a positive person all of the time he gave this answer: "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood."
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    Henry Albright, a painter and lithographer who lived from 1876 to 1944, once wrote this about our attitude toward life: "A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort." I am sure that was what we call a "tongue-in-the cheek" statement. I am not interested in annoying people by having a positive attitude but he is right. Some people are so determined to not enjoy or appreciate or accept their circumstances in life that they resent those who face the changes that old age brings with grace and dignity.
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    There is a sign over the Phoenix Suns' locker room that says this: "The game is scheduled, we have to play it--we might as well win." We are all in the game of life. We have to play it until the game is over. We might as well win.Â

THANKS, BOB - I hope these comments will aid others in our age bracket.

THE WORDWRIGHT