On death and aging

I’m 68 years old. And a half. (I like to be precise.) This series of posts is about what life is like for a 68 1/2 year old woman. Maybe you can relate. Or maybe you’d like to know some of what’s in your future. Maybe you’re not interested.

Whichever it is, this composition is just as much about me looking later life in the face as it is about sharing my insights and conclusions with you. Writing things down forces me to corral my thoughts and feelings into one place and make them stay there, so I can examine them more carefully.

So I’ve been thinking a lot about death. I may have another 30 years on this earth; I may not. But there will be a day when my body will succumb to its inherent mortality and completely shut down. It’s inevitable. (Unless Jesus returns before then. But that’s for another post.) And I am a lot closer to that day than ever before.

How should we face this reality as certain as taxes? Head on, in my opinion. Some people seem to believe if they don’t think about it it won’t happen. But refusing to think long and hard about such a momentous event in our life – our death – is foolish and even dangerous. Foolish because it greatly affects those who love us or count on us and we will unnecessarily burden them if we haven’t planned ahead for our exit. And also dangerous because we ourselves, our souls, which live on after the death of our bodies, will be unnecessarily and unceasingly burdened with great sorrow and regret for all eternity if we have not received God’s pardon for our sins through faith and trust in Jesus Christ. (Again, not what this post is about, but you can read about that here.)

I received that precious pardon over 35 years ago, so my eternity with God and without suffering, sorrow, or sin is secure. And my husband and I met with an attorney a few years ago to create our wills and get our affairs in order, for the benefit of our children when we both have passed. But when and how, and will I be able to say goodbye to my children and grandchildren? These are the kinds of things I think about.

Pondering is something older people generally have more time for than those raising children or working full-time. Plus, many of us have sleep issues affording us more time than we want to just think.

And then we get up and look in the mirror. The unpleasant effects of aging will be for next time.