PLAY THE BACK NINE :   
   THE BACK NINE   
       
   AND THEN IT IS WINTER   
       
       
   You know ... time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the   
   passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and   
   embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago,   
   and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have   
   glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.   
       
       
   But, here it is... the back nine of my life and it catches me by   
   surprise...How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my   
   youth go?   
       
       
   I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those   
   older people were years away from me and that I was only on the first hole and   
   the back nine was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what   
   it would be like.   
       
       
   But, here it is...my friends are retired and getting gray...they move slower   
   and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than   
   me...but, I see the great change....Not like the ones that I remember who were   
   young and vibrant...but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are   
   now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd become.   
       
       
   Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day!   
   And taking a nap is not a treat anymore... it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on   
   my own free will... I just fall asleep where I sit!   
       
       
   And so...now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the   
   aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that   
   I wish I had done but never did!! But, at least I know, that though I'm on the   
   back nine, and I'm not sure how long it will last...this I know, that when   
   it's over on this earth...it's over. A new adventure will begin! Yes, I have   
   regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done...things I should have done,   
   but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a   
   lifetime.   
       
       
   So, if you're not on the back nine yet...let me remind you, that it will be   
   here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your   
   life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long!! Life goes by   
   quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether you're on   
   the back nine or not!   
       
       
   You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life....so, live   
   for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to   
   remember...and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that   
   you have done for them in all the years past!!   
       
       
   "Life" is a gift to you.  The way you live your life is your gift to those who   
   come after. Make it a fantastic one. LIVE IT WELL! ENJOY TODAY! DO SOMETHING   
   FUN! BE HAPPY ! HAVE A GREAT DAY Remember "It is health that is real wealth   
   and not pieces of gold and silver. LIVE HAPPY IN 2015!   
       
       
   LASTLY, CONSIDER THIS:   
   ~Your kids are becoming you......but your grandchildren are perfect!   
   ~Going out is good.. Coming home is better!   
   ~You forget names.... But it's OK because some people forgot they even knew   
   you!!!   
   ~You realize you're never going to be really good at anything like golf.   
   ~The things you used to care to do, you aren't as interested in anymore, but   
   you really don't care that you aren't as interested.   
   ~You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV 'ON' than in bed. It's called   
   "pre-sleep".   
   ~You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" switch..   
   ~You tend to use more 4 letter words ... "what?"..."when?"... ???   
   ~You notice everything they sell in stores is "sleeveless"?!!!   
   ~What used to be freckles are now liver spots.   
   ~Everybody whispers.   
   ~You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet.... 2 of which you will never wear.   
       
   ~~~But Old is good in some things: Old Songs, Old movies, and best of all, OLD   
   FRIENDS!!   
       
       
   Stay well, "OLD FRIEND!" Send this on to other "Old Friends!" and let them   
   laugh in AGREEMENT!!! It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter That   
   Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived.   
       
       
   TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU'VE EVER BEEN; YET THE YOUNGEST YOU'LL EVER BE, SO   
   ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS   
   " Do Not Regret Growing Older. It is a Privilege Denied to Many. "   
       
       
   Regards,   
       
   Roger   
      
   --- D'Bridge 3.99   
    * Origin: NCS BBS - Houma, LoUiSiAna (1:3828/7)