A Unique Perspective

I have had time to consider lately where I’ve been, where I am, and what the new possibilities are to where I would like to be - and it occurred to me that I have a unique perspective.

On the one hand, I see a future (not mine, I’ve decided) when I look at how my dear Mama-in-law (and I do love her dearly!) spends her days. I see how she sleeps really late every morning - I see how she has given up on getting dressed any more unless we are going somewhere that day. I see that she spends her time looking out the front window, watching TV, and dozing in her recliner.

All my (and my dear hubby’s ) efforts to have her find an interest, a hobby, something to occupy her mind have fallen on deaf ears. She occasionally will try something new - a new diet (9 days, tops) - exercise (a week), crochet (makes her hands hurt - gave up same day) - but I can see that her heart is not in it. She has given up on life. I don’t mean that in a hugely negative sense - it’s just that she is not going to make the necessary effort to make any changes in her lifestyle at all.

Then on the other hand, I am actively involved with the youth group at our church. They are all part (with a couple of younger ones) of the interpretive dance team - and are so active we have trouble keeping track of them! They are full of energy, opinionated, enthusiastic, and up for most anything we throw at them. The senior pastor’s wife and I team up to head this wild and wacky group - and sometimes get to be in on the skits, dances, and dramas that we produce. We start each meeting with warm-ups - and woe to the person who can’t keep up! I am amazed and grateful that they accept me totally - and don’t consider me as one of the “old” people!

So…here I am….in the middle. I can’t go backwards and become young again, and there are a lot of things I wouldn’t do just to ‘fit in’ - these girls don’t need another pal, they need a leader - but one who’s willing to have fun right along with them. But, then, I refuse, I absolutely refuse, to, as some put it “act my age”. And I ask, why should I? Chronological age is simply a number, and I truly believe that you are as young as you feel.

Having this unique window - I have decided that I need to do some things to have the best of the younger group - being active, involved, engaged, and quite willing to get into any activity that will further our work of bringing worship to the people - and to avoid falling into the pitfalls that I see my Mama, and other older women at church have already given in to.

What to do? No big amazing breakthroughs here - but it was high time to not just “think” about these things, but to get out and “do” them.

I try to eat right - I have fought long and hard to wear my size 6 jeans, and
I’m not giving that up! I fortunately love salad, and my hubby and Mama
are resigned to the fact that they will be getting that kind of thing regularly.
I know I need to get moving and exercise - but my hubby has great
reservations about me going out early in the morning to walk. He’s
been concerned since we had a morning home-invasion across the
street a while back. I have a manual treadmill - but hate it - it is literally
boring. I really wanted a Wii - but the price ended that thought. Then I
remembered that I do have a “Dance Praize” mat that hooks into the
computer (like Dance Revolution, the kids tell me). So now - every day
(well, almost) I get out there and dance - for 30 minutes! I was amazed
at how OUT OF SHAPE I was - and pleased that it is rapidly improving
now!
I also know from the reading I do, that I have to keep my mind active.
I think this one is the most important of all - to keep on learning, reading,
finding out new things - this truly keeps ya young! So…I had heard about
these “brain-training” games - and I googled that - and found :
http://brainist.com/brain_training/index.htm and there was a wealth of
games - and this one has rapidly become a favorite. It make you think,
solve a problem, and I am finding it quite addictive! I also am going to the
library tomorrow - I am embarrassed to acknowledge that as much as I
love books, I have woefully ignored just reading for pleasure - and it’s
high time I got back into it! So, tomorrow, I’m going to go get a library
card and get back into my favorite authors - Dean Koontz, Jonathan
Kellerman, Patricia Cornwell, Robin Cook - boy, there must be a
treasure trove of unread stuff out there!
Then there is the internet. Then there is cre8buzz! Here I can read, I
can write, I can communicate, I can revel in finding out all kinds of
things I didn’t know before, and meet people I never would have
met otherwise - and I can share my interests with them too!

So that’s the plan - and I hope it is going to keep me right square in the middle - between the kids and the old folks. I’m liking it, and am up for any other suggestions you might have. Bring ‘em on!

July 8, 2008 |

Comments

4 Comments so far

Half-Past Kissin' Time July 8, 2008 7:31 pm
That is a great place to be! My MIL is in the same place your mom is; staring out the living room window, totally capable, but having no desire to LIVE life. This is unfathomable to me, but I have to respect it. You go, Girl!
ourcrookedtree, Moms July 9, 2008 12:55 pm
No matter how old we are I think you have the idea of how to do it!
sjoukes, Women July 9, 2008 1:58 pm
it’s a shame your mother-in-law never got the internet bug..I may be out of shape..but I will go kicking and screaming into the great blog..well peacefully would be better lol
and I NEVER get bored!! I gaze out of the window now and then to see what the weather is like..what a shame to be so at a loss!
Maureen, Painting/Drawing July 9, 2008 4:36 pm
My parents didn’t discover computers until they were retired. As my dad has polio, he is glued to his screen, keeping mentally active… and I am glad they do have interests to keep them happy.

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