Age-old or Old Age Thoughts For The Ripening
Anxiety, self proclaimed wisdom, and geriatric sea diving
With another birthday in the books, I, as per usual, spiral into a pondering my life's purpose episode, followed up with a few regrets and some what-ifs.
Then, drifting in like the clouds on a partially sunny day, there are little puffs of adventurous optimism on what's to come.
I've been feeling less than satisfied lately with my life accomplishments, which, in the grand scheme of things, seem to be somewhat few and far between.
With those thoughts tumbling around my mind, in crept the anxiety of all my non-accomplishments and life half remaining.
Boom, there it is- anxiety, you cruel and twisted dream crusher.
Oh, if I could turn back time -Sing it, Cher. Did Sonny Bono know he was gonna hit a tree that day? I doubt it. None of us know when that proverbial clock will stop ticking. So we should make it count, right? However, and whatever that means to you.
A few months back, I was leisurely reading a lovely book called The Way of the Fearless Writer. Author Beth Kempton tells the story of women who have been free-diving for lobster, abalone, scallops, and sea urchins off the coast of Japan for at least two thousand years. These women are known as ama, meaning sea women. Some of them will keep diving well into their nineties.
Could you imagine your grandma sea diving at 95?
Ya, me neither. But how magnificent would that be? What an incredible perspective for young girls and women to grow up in a culture where that is such a thing. What would our preconceived notions on female aging be then?
Feeling like it might be time to rewire the brain. I admit I'm guilty of outdated and limiting thoughts about this whole ripening process. But I’m learning and working on accepting. Changing my narrative.
I have faith that, mind, body and soul willing, we are capable of great things in all stages of this life. Maybe you find some comfort and inspiration in today's words. Or maybe I just bored you to death, and you’ve permanently blocked me from your inbox.
But hoping it's the comfort thing.
This past weekend, we had our family pre-Christmas gathering. We are all spread out and have conflicting schedules most of the year, especially over the Christmas season. We just found it easier over the last couple of years to get everyone together beforehand. I suspect most of people can commiserate with the scheduling conflicts and long distances.
As a gift, my oldest son, Dorian and his wife Brie, gave the grandparents (my parents) a digital photo frame.
The cool part about this frame is that you can download an app and upload any photos you would like displayed on the frame. The owner of the frame can invite family and friends to download the app and do the same.
After about 45 minutes of us all curled up on couches in the living room, phone scrolling our photo galleries, there were hundreds of family photos and great memories uploaded and displayed on this digital frame.
Warning - it’s extremely difficult to peel yourself away from this thing, but well worth the smiles and trip down memory lane.
Great gift alert
I’ve seen them in Costco, Walmart, and on Amazon
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Hi there, I’m Tamara Dayle. Born and raised on the Canadian prairies. I am a wife and mom of two grown men and 3 unruly fur turds that rule the roost.
I am also a life photographer, storyteller and writer - Mishaps and Milestones is 100% reader-supported. Thank you for joining me while I write about all the sweet and chaotic moments this life has to offer.
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My sister bought my nephew one of these before he moved away for school and she bought my mom one as well which she loves