Aging Gracefully

Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness…Proverbs 16:31.

Do I have a few gray hairs…yes! 

Do I have a few wrinkles (which I prefer to call them laugh lines)…yes!

Has my body changed over the years…absolutely!

However, I am truly trying to embrace this stage of my life!  I have a wonderful husband who has stood by my side for over 31 years…adult children who love and are serving the Lord…darling grandchildren with more on the way…treasured friendships…good health…I am blessed!

So, as I step into this season of life…I am trying to take care of myself! 

And just when I think I am doing fairly well (for example, just recently I had someone ask if I was Zach (my oldest son’s) sister…and a few weeks later…someone asked if Rachel (my daughter-in-law) and I were sisters!!  (I’m sure they thought I was their much older sister…but hey…I’ll take it)!

So, just when I think I am doing ok with this whole aging process and stepping into this stage of my life with confidence…my darling  grandsons chime in with their thoughts about their Gammy…that keep me humbled…completely grounded and well-aware of my age! 

Gammy and Graham

Gammy and Hudson

Beau Bear joined us for this shot!

Several months ago, I was visiting Zach, Rachel and their family.  As I sat on their family room floor, Graham innocently asked…”Gammy, did you take a bath”?

Always curious as to what Graham is thinking…I said…”Yes, Graham…I took a shower before I came to your house.  Why do you ask”?

Graham said…”I thought so…you have bath feet”!  As I looked at my feet…I realized he was referring to the wrinkles on the soles of my feet…and of course, his smooth, flawless little feet would only slightly resemble my wrinkled feet after he has taken a long bath!

His parents and I got a kick out of his thought process…and I made a mental note that I need to schedule a pedicure in the immediate future!

And just a few weeks ago, I was putting Hudson and Beau in our car…they were coming to Papa and Gammy’s for a sleepover!  Bekah was out of town and little Gabe was going to stay home with his daddy!

After I had buckled Hudson in his car seat, Andrew bent over and gave him a hug and kiss good-bye!

As Andrew was giving him a hug, Hudson innocently asked his daddy…”Daddy, why does Gammy have more wrinkles thank you?”

Andrew, being wise beyond his years…chose not to reply to Hudson’s question!   Smart man!

As I said…those precious little darlings definitely remind me that I am undeniably maturing more and more each day!

Emmett joined this shot too!

So, as I continue to embrace this season, I thought I would share with you a few quotes concerning aging gracefully:

“And the beauty of a woman, with passing years only grows!” – Audrey Hepburn

“You don’t stop laughing when you grow old; you grow old when you stop laughing.” = George Bernard Shaw

“Your face is marked with lines of life, put there by love and laughter, suffering and tears.  It’s beautiful.” – Linsay Sands (I’m pretty sure this is what Hudson was referring to J)

“The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a Woman is reflected in her soul.  It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she knows.” – Audrey Hepburn

“Grow old with me!  The best is yet to be.” – Robert Browning

God’s word says… Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness…Proverbs 16:31.

His word also says… Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart…1 Samuel 16:7.

Though I do desire to age gracefully, I pray that I am more concerned with inner beauty than outward beauty!

I desire to be a person that loves unconditionally…serves graciously…is a true friend…laughs often…speaks encouraging words…praises God at all times…in all situations…and hopefully, when others see me…they see a reflection of our Heavenly Father!

I’m not there yet…I’m a work in progress!

And in the days ahead…I’m sure I will have a few more gray hairs…a few more laugh lines…but I’m also sure…I’m going to enjoy each moment…savoring every minute with family and friends!

And maybe you are little like me…trying to embrace this particular season of your life!  So after searching the web, I found these 10 tips to help you mature gracefully – http://www.boston.com/business/specials/livinglonger/healthyaging

·         Exercise regularly –A minimum of 45 minutes of aerobic exercise, three to four times a week…will keep your heart young while improving your figure, mood and brainpower (If you live in the Forsyth area…you probably have seen me riding my bike…in all types of weather!)

·         Eat a modest Mediterranean diet – Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Cook with olive oil instead of butter.

·         “Sin” less – Need I say more??

·         Sleep – Anything under 6.5 hours puts you at risk for a host of physical and mental problems

·         Take care of mental health – Get rid of emotional baggage that stresses you out (Hmmmmm…wondering if my husband might say he needs to get rid of me…that I stress him out!  Just kidding!!)

·         Control blood pressure – I’m good…just had my yearly check-up and my blood pressure was 100 over 70

·         Eat your vitamins – the best way to get your vitamins is through a well-balanced diet

·         Keep friends close – Love having my family and friends close!

·         Learn something new every day – the more you challenge your brain…the better it performs

·         Avoid diabetes

Dear Heavenly Father…Thank you for the gift of life!  Thank you for family and friends to share this precious life with.  Regardless of what season of life we may be in at this time, I pray that you help each of us to live life to the fullest…savoring each precious moment!  And may every thought we have…every word we speak…every action we take…bring glory and honor to you!