Life’s Many Stages
Everyone loves that moment when a baby suddenly realizes there is a world to explore. Their eyes open wide, and rooms are often filled with smiles and laughter.
When Joseph entered kindergarten, he was ready to go. He had watched the school bus drive past our house with anticipation for quite some time. Nancy and I could barely keep up as we walked him to the corner for his first bus ride. We had entered a new phase of life.
As dementia slowly robbed mom and dad of their memories, I shifted from son to caregiver. Together we entered a new phase of life. Dad would consistently apologize for needing help. I reminded him that a few years ago, I was the one who needed help, and he always stood by me. I was simply returning the favor. It always makes him smile when I talk that way. Working together to navigate the different stages and phases of life.
My New Phase
It appears I have crossed into a new phase or stage of life. There have been different signs that I have crossed into a new season.
Sign One; people now hold the door open for me as I approach a building.
For the past six months or so, I have been using a cane. Neuropathy has left me with little feeling in my feet. The cane is an added sense of security. No, I am NOT a fall risk.
These “door holders” see me coming, step out of the way, and smile politely while ushering me into the building. I appreciate their kindness.
Just this week, on my way into chemotherapy, a woman at least ten years my senior held the door open for ME! You can see I am wrestling with going gracefully into this new stage of life.
Sign Two; I am now the old guy parents protect from young children.
A few weeks ago, I was leaving a local eatery followed closely by a young mom and her toddler. Mom’s arms were full, and she was struggling to manage the situation, one of life’s phases. Her son saw my cane and found it interesting. He wound up his foot and kicked it out from underneath me. Not being a fall risk, I stumbled but remained upright.
The poor mom was horrified. I was laughing, kind of reminded me of something a younger me might have thought about doing. The young boy had one of those mischievous smiles that let me know we would indeed be friends.
We parted ways with mom apologizing profusely and me chuckling.
Sign Three; I view the world through different eyes.
The world has not changed; I have. Places I once moved with little thought or care now leave me with questions, serious questions.
Sometimes the written word cannot fully express what one is trying to share. This short video will let you in on my new “worldview.”
I have not found a way to stop the passing phases or stages of life.
The best we can do is seek to live in the moment. To find peace, joy, and hope in what is.
Dwelling on what was (some phase from our past) or worrying about tomorrow (the next stage of life) will only leave us bitter and anxious.
May you be open to experiencing the Spirit of God at work in your world no matter what phase or stage of life you may find yourself in.
Check out the A Place in the Conversation Podcast.
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