“Just an old-fashioned love song;” “One is the loneliest number;” The ink is black, the page is white;” “Jeremiah was a bull-frog”.

Hubby got a new CD of old songs recently. Three Dog Night. Songs from my heyday. Funny how a few lines of an old song can take you back to that time. A time of being young and fit, footloose and fancy-free. An entire lifetime ahead of me. Hmm, well I guess I’ve used up a lot of that life.

Has it passed me by? Or, have I really lived it? Have I enjoyed the good times? Have I learned through the challenges? Or I have just gone from one day to another? One event to another? One item on the calendar to another? Just trying to get through it, just trying to make it through another week, another day, another hour?

At 17 I enjoyed life. Yes, it had its challenges. I had my problems – some seemed insurmountable. But many new experiences awaited me. Life was exciting!

Over 30 years of marriage; three children, one son-in-law, three grandchildren, and other additions to our extended family; friends coming and going and staying; a variety of jobs – paid and volunteer; a parade of vehicles – new and used, cars, trucks, tractors and lawn-mowers; and a vast array of experiences, challenges, joys and obstacles are testament to the fact that my life has been anything but boring!

Right. So, why should it change now? After all, I’m not as old as my mother. Yes, we are related and chances are that I may have some of the same problems as she does – when I reach her age, if I reach her age. But, for now, I’m still mobile, have 20/20 vision – with my contact lenses, my hearing is good – maybe a bit selective, have nearly all my teeth, and my hair is the same colour as it was when I was 17 – okay, maybe with a little help…

Come to think of it I’m fairly footloose and fancy-free as well. My children are all grown-up and basically self-sufficient and on their own. I’ve trained my husband to take care of himself as well. I have a job I love and enough hobbies and things I want to do to last several life-times. Each one is sure to bring its own challenges, learning and joys.

So, I guess the choice is up to me. I can wonder how long I’ve got left to do the things I want to do. I can worry about my health and mobility. I can wallow in the gloomy possibilities.

Or, I can take a lesson from my mum. I can try to face every day with a smile and look for the laughs in the day. I can help others. And, when people ask, “How are you?” I can smile and say, “Happy and thankful.”

Because, in the end, who you are is not defined by your age, health, mobility or mind function, but by your spirit.

Let’s journey together.

© Denise Budd Rumble 2009