WE ARE A GENERATION THAT WILL NEVER COME BACK

A generation that walked to school and then walked back.

A generation that did their homework alone to get out ASAP to play in the street.

A generation that spent all their free time in the streets with their friends.

A generation that played hide and seek when dark.

A generation that made mud cakes.

A generation that collected sports cards.

A generation that found, collected, washed & returned empty Coke bottles to the local grocery store for 5 cents each, then bought a Mountain Dew and candy bar with the money.

A generation that made paper toys with their bare hands.

A generation who bought vinyl albums to play on record players.

A generation that collected photos and albums of clippings of their life experiences as a kid.

A generation that played board games and cards on rainy days.

A generation whose TV went off at midnight after playing the National Anthem.

A generation that had parents who were there.

A generation that laughed under the covers in bed so parents didn't know we were still awake.

A generation that is passing and unfortunately will never return no matter how hard we try.

I loved Growing up when I did.

It was the best of times 💕

LOVE ISN’T ALL HEARTS AND FLOWERS (Donna Ashworth)

Sometimes, love is asking if you’ve remembered to take your vitamins or drunk enough water.

Love is a friend who checks in on you, even when you say you’re fine.

Love is a family member who worries you’re making the wrong choices, and that can often feel like anything but love, but the truth is, they live in fear of you getting hurt because they feel every inch of your pain along with you.

Love can come in all shapes and sizes but never does unconditional love look like an expensive gift or a romantic weekend away. That’s just frosting.

You’re more likely to find it in a cup of tea, made just for you.

Love is real and ugly and shouty sometimes.

Lots of tears and lots of pain as the people involved break and bond and grow together as humans.

Valentines Day should be about counting all the love you have in your world and giving gratitude for it - that may not look like a steak dinner for two... and that’s okay.

If you are loved, my friend, at all, you are blessed.

And if you have found some love for yourself along the way, then you are really winning at life.

That’s worth celebrating.

Happy Valentine’s Day ❤️

be there...

 

from Ralph Waldo Emerson

What is success?

To laugh often and much;

to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;

to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;

to appreciate the beauty;

to find the best in others;

to leave the world a bit better,

whether by a healthy child,

a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;

to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded!

Maeve Binchy

 i LOVE her novels and these pearls of wisdom prove why...

Maeve Binchy was an Irish novelist, playwright, short story writer, columnist and speaker. Her novels were characterized by a sympathetic and often humorous portrayal of small-town life in Ireland and surprise endings.

1. "I don't have ugly ducklings turning into swans in my stories. I have ugly ducklings turning into confident ducks."

2. "The great thing about getting older is that you become more mellow. Things aren't as black and white, and you become much more tolerant."

3. "Nobody is ordinary if you know where to look."

4. "We are all the heroes and heroines of our own lives. Our love stories are amazingly romantic; our losses and betrayals and disappointments are gigantic in our own minds."

5. "If you don't go to a dance, you can never be rejected, but you'll never get to dance either."

6. "The whole art of life is knowing the right time to say things."

7. "We're nothing if we're not loved. When you meet somebody who is more important to you than yourself, that has to be the most important thing in life, really. And I think we are all striving for it in different ways."

8. "I think you've got to play the hand that you're dealt and stop wishing for another hand."

9. "We get courage from other people's stories. We get consolation from the way they tell about failures, disappointments and crises. It means that we are not alone."

10. "Learn to type. Learn to drive. Have fun. Write postcards. (Letters take too long and you won't do it; a postcard takes two minutes.) Be punctual. Don't worry about what other people are thinking. They are not thinking about you. Write quickly. (Taking longer doesn't usually make it better.) Get up early. See the world. Call everybody by their first name, from doctors to presidents. Have parties. Don't agonise. Don't regret. Don't fuss. Never brood. Move on. Don't wait for permission to be happy. Don't wait for permission to do anything. Make your own life."

for my kids... when i'm gone...

If It Brings You Comfort - Keep It!

Even after your loved one is gone, their clothes may hang neatly in the closet, bookshelves may be arranged just as they left them, toothbrush and razor still in the bathroom.

Sorting through these objects, however inanimate or innocuous, can be particularly difficult when you're grief-stricken.

When the emotional element of loss is added to what to do with these items it can become increasingly difficult and stressful to make a decision.

My advice... when in doubt... keep it! You can never get it back once it’s gone. Grief has so much pain already, why add to it by regretting giving something away before you're ready?

Give yourself all the time you need. Set aside time to decide what to do with your loved one's belongings when you're feeling mentally and physically strong enough to make decisions.

Here's the thing... if it brings you comfort... keep it!

If an item is no longer serving you consider donating it or giving it to someone who may appreciate having a keepsake of your loved one.

The process of dealing with a loved one's belongings is so personal. What works best for you is the only plan that will work.

Hold on to everything you're not yet ready to part with or make a decision about, but when it comes time to select which items to keep, choose what you want to live with, enjoy and appreciate.

The things you keep should bring joy to your life and should make you smile. They should make you think of your loved one with happiness when you see them. If they bring you painful memories (like all those medical supplies stacked in the corner of the bedroom), toss them!

Some people have a “just donate everything and move on” personality and others have an “I need to keep everything” personality, and that's okay. Everyone's grief is unique to them and how they process it is a personal decision. There's no right or wrong way to do it.

It's up to you... and only you... what to keep... and what to give away.

Gary Sturgis - "Surviving Grief"

because we are now entering the twilight years...

 🚩 Between age 55 and the time of death, it is advisable to use the money you have saved. Use it and enjoy it. Don't save it for those who have no idea the sacrifices you made to obtain it. Remember, there's nothing more revolting than a son or daughter-in-law coming up with great ideas to spend your hard-earned savings.

🚩 Warning: This is also a bad time for investments, even if it sounds wonderful or safe. They only bring problems and worries. It's time for you to enjoy life.

🚩 Stop worrying about your children and grandchildren's financial situation, and don't feel bad about spending your money on yourself. You cared for them for many years, and taught them what you can. You gave them education, food, shelter and support. It's now their responsibility to make their own money.

🚩 Keep a healthy life, without much physical effort. Do moderate exercise (like walking every day), eat well and sleep plenty. It's easy to get sick at this age and it becomes harder to stay healthy. This is why you need to stay fit and be mindful of your medical and physical needs. Stay in touch with your doctor, get medical checkups even when you think you are feeling good. Please take care of your health.

🚩 Always buy the best, the most beautiful items to treat yourself. The key is to enjoy your money with your partner. One day, one of you will miss the other, and money will not bring you any comfort; so, enjoy it together.

🚩 Don't stress over the small things. You have overcome so much in life. You have good memories and bad memories, but what matters is the present. Don't let the past train you and don't let the future intimidate you. Must feel good in the present.

🚩 Don't lose sight of fashion trends for your age but keep your own sense of style.
You have developed your own sense of what suits you, so keep it and be proud of yourself. It is part of who you are.

🚩 Always stay up to date: read newspapers, follow the news. Go online and read what people are saying. Make sure you have an active e-mail account and try to use some of those social media. You'll be surprised by the old friends you run into.

🚩 Respect the young generation and their opinions. They may not have the same ideas as you, but they are the future and will take the world on their way. Give advice, not criticize, and try to remind them that yesterday's wisdom still applies today. Never use the phrase: "In our time." "Your time is now." As long as you’re alive, you’re part of the present.

🚩 Some people embrace their golden years, while others become bitter. Life is too short to waste days on sad moments. Spend your time with positive and joyful people and your days will look much better.

🚩 Don’t stress about having to live with your kids or grandkids. Of course, being around family seems great, but we all need our privacy, too. They need theirs and you need yours. Do it only if you feel lonely and really need help or you really don't want to live alone.

🚩 Don't give up your hobbies. If you don't have one, make new ones. You can travel, hike, cook, read, dance. You can adopt a cat or dog, grow a kitchen garden, play cards, checkers, chess, dominoes, golf, etc.

🚩 Talk to people politely and try not to complain or criticize too much, unless you really need it. Try to accept situations as they are when you feel you can't do anything about it.

🚩 Pain and discomfort go hand in hand with age. Try not to dwell on those hurts but accept them as part of life.

🚩 If someone has offended you, forgive them. If you have offended anyone, apologize. Don't carry negative feelings around. It only serves to make you sad and destroy you needlessly. No matter who was right. Someone once said: "Holding a grudge is like eating poison and expecting the other person to die." Don't take this poison. Forgive, forget and move on with your life.

🚩 Laugh. Remind yourself you are blessed. You've managed to have a long life.
Many never make it to this age and some never get to live.

My dear friends, enjoy a quiet life at this stage in your life... Don't stress yourself out... be happy!!!