Twilight, dusk, and evening
Twilight sounds romantic. Dusk suggests a cold lengthening shadow. Evening is calm. How will my older years be characterized?
Two issues about old age: boredom and personality.
I've heard it said that the way you are when you are young will amplify when you get older. Sunday I sang at a retirement home and a rest home with some others from my church. At the retirement home one old lady allowed herself to become exceedingly offended by a suggestion from one of the other old ladies. She whipped her walker around, hurried off down the hall, and looked back to sort of yell some defensive statement. Whooaaa. Do I have bad attitudes that will manifest themselves when the inhibitions of a (somewhat) sound mind depart? Will things that I currently do in fun become constant, annoying habits when I am old?
At the rest home I spent some time talking to an 80-something lady. She used to try something new every year, she used to always be busy, she didn't think she had ever wasted a day in her life. Now, living in the rest home where most of the people probably aren't as with it as she is, she finds life to be boring. I think there is a better place for most old people than rest homes, and I dread the day when I might end up in one. Is there any way to keep one's "twilight" years from being monotonous? On the one hand, leading an interesting and full life when I am able will give me interesting memories to reminisce about in the future. On the other hand, if I am accustomed to a busy and interesting life, existence in a wheelchair may be unbearable without much willpower.
This topic reminds me of the hymn, "Crossing the bar" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. The tune I have heard suggests a calmness about the end of life - a calmness that I am sure would be enhanced by a pleasant (most importantly in spirit) senescence.
Two issues about old age: boredom and personality.
I've heard it said that the way you are when you are young will amplify when you get older. Sunday I sang at a retirement home and a rest home with some others from my church. At the retirement home one old lady allowed herself to become exceedingly offended by a suggestion from one of the other old ladies. She whipped her walker around, hurried off down the hall, and looked back to sort of yell some defensive statement. Whooaaa. Do I have bad attitudes that will manifest themselves when the inhibitions of a (somewhat) sound mind depart? Will things that I currently do in fun become constant, annoying habits when I am old?
At the rest home I spent some time talking to an 80-something lady. She used to try something new every year, she used to always be busy, she didn't think she had ever wasted a day in her life. Now, living in the rest home where most of the people probably aren't as with it as she is, she finds life to be boring. I think there is a better place for most old people than rest homes, and I dread the day when I might end up in one. Is there any way to keep one's "twilight" years from being monotonous? On the one hand, leading an interesting and full life when I am able will give me interesting memories to reminisce about in the future. On the other hand, if I am accustomed to a busy and interesting life, existence in a wheelchair may be unbearable without much willpower.
This topic reminds me of the hymn, "Crossing the bar" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. The tune I have heard suggests a calmness about the end of life - a calmness that I am sure would be enhanced by a pleasant (most importantly in spirit) senescence.
posted by Claire at 05:06
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