Author: worrylessjourney

Who can fix it?

by worrylessjourney, posted in Uncategorized

Does anything go well in medicine anymore? I have a friend whose granddaughter has been through a two or more month nightmare getting the right things done in hospitals. Yesterday I discovered that the people who supply my medicines had not sent me two medicines that I need regularly. I did finally get one but the other one is still a mess. Periodically the contracts for who does this work get moved to someone different (probably the lowest bidder) and they have not figured it out. The worst thing is that what shows up on my phone is not the correct provider so you don’t recognize them when they call or text.

I really wish I knew who to talk to about the phone thing because that causes major problems. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to know exactly the right person to call to get things corrected? That would be nirvana.

It has reached the point where we all need a patient advocate who knows what to do and they need to be with us all the time.

My friends the books

by worrylessjourney, posted in books, caring, comfort, connections

I have been cleaning out my bookshelf. We have a library here and I will donate some books. It is always hard to give books away. They have been my friends and companions my whole life. A few of them are that old. Many of them I have read multiple times and will read again. I have too many books on my Kindle and for some reason don’t enjoy reading there as with a book in my hand. It just feels right.

I will post about new books I loved another day. Peace and Love.

Who is “less than” ??

by worrylessjourney, posted in abuse, aggravations, aging, Discernment, prejudice

Writing yesterday I alluded to the fact that being in a residence for independent seniors brings to the front of our view that we are at risk to be ignored by everyone else. Now by saying that I don’t mean that our families just walk away and leave us. Mostly that is not the case. But the reality is that we are deemed “less than.” Less brains, less physical ability and less important. We are the ignored minority.

I love the poems by Ogden Nash and this idea brought to mind a poem that brings out this point very clearly.

Old Men
by Ogden Nash
 
People expect old men to die,
They do not really mourn old men.
Old men are different. People look
At them with eyes that wonder when…
People watch with unshocked eyes;
But the old men know when an old man dies.

This is so very true.. and yet the collection of wisdom, knowledge and ideas here is amazing. We are blessed with so many who have designed things now used by everyone, were professors in just about every field of endeavor. written books both fiction and non-fiction. I could go on and on. We are still alive, thinking, giving, sharing and loving.

In a more alert world we would be considered the “institutional memory” that is so important. It helps to keep us from making the same mistakes over and over.

We are here! We are useful! We are wise! Ignore us and you will be the ones who are “less than”

Back again

by worrylessjourney, posted in aging, communication, community

It’s been so long since I have written. I hope I haven’t lost complete connection with Word Press friends. I don’t know what has stopped me from writing. I have been too distracted. I hope that I can get back into my routine. A lot has happened around here and I am learning about being the transparent generation. For that reason alone I need to keep posting about how it feels to feels to be 82…a minority that most people don’t recognize.

More about that later. Just want to get back posting and sharing. Peace to everyone.

Simple Pleasures

by worrylessjourney, posted in community, connections, fun!

The weather here is miserable. It is 40 F and raining hard. Going out this morning was the first time I have seen Crash run in forever. He did not like that much rain and came in soaked.

Tonight, for the first time, I am having a few people over for egg nog and cookies. My apartment is so small (and I do love it) that it can only take a few people at a time. Later I may do this again. Being able to do this is a real step forward for me. I used to love having friends in but here I kept thinking it was too small.

There are still people here with covid. I know that over time everyone will get it but most people have a lite dose because of the vaccinations. The hospitals are full because of covid, flu and RSV. RSV was a big problem for us when I worked with six pediatricians. It was really dangerous for infants. Now it has changed and is a problem for those who are at high risk. It is so sad to see the hospitals full again. I hope most people are able to get back home for Christmas.

A long time ago I ended up in the hospital over Christmas and cried a lot missing my family…especially my children.There are still people here with covid. I know that over time everyone will get it but most people have a lite dose because of the vaccinations. The hospitals are full because of covid, flu and RSV. RSV was a big problem for us when I worked with six pediatricians. It was really dangerous for infants. Now it has changed and is a problem for those who are at high risk. It is so sad to see the hospitals full again. I hope most people are able to get back home for Christmas.

I hope that everyone will manage to stay well and have a wonderful holiday! Peace, Suzanne

Finding Habits

by worrylessjourney, posted in accountable, balance, habits, patterns

Lately I find myself unable, or maybe I should say unwilling, to write. It’s as if I can’t get in touch with my thoughts and get them down here.

Today I have finally gone back to meditation thanks to the app Insight Timer. This is by far the best app I have found for meditation. It is amazing. I am hoping that getting back to my much needed routine of silence and quiet will bring my thoughts into focus. It doesn’t work to avoid yourself with distractions.

Years ago I had the best yoga teacher I have ever found. She was absolutely amazing. Yoga class was not just one hour but an hour and a half. The last 30 minutes were spent with meditation. By the time I had to move away meditation was my life support. It took me calmly though a surgery that made me miss Christmas with my children. I want to be back there.

It is hard to get back into a habit. We have to consciously make the effort. It so much easier to just vegetate. I am done with that.

Christmas will soon be here and advent is my favorite season and I have almost let it slide by me. Today is a new day!

The Dream

by worrylessjourney, posted in dreams, expectations

Yesterday was Veteran’s Day and I miss my veteran so much. Our time with the Army seems so close and yet so far away. At my age things seem to be moving so fast to get past the things I have grown up with. Our perception of the future was very different than what we have and I still want my flying car!

In our ignorance we believed that things would be better. The lives of our children would be much better than ours. The world would be better, kinder and more loving. No more wars. No hate.

It was a dream that didn’t last long and I’m sorry it’s gone.

(I couldn’t resist this photo.)

,

Old Wisdom

by worrylessjourney, posted in aging, poetry, wisdom

Ageing, disappearing

Vanishing, not noticed

Passed by

As we grow older

 these things happen

Frequently

But we remember

We learned

And we still remember

Life is a gift

Cherished, loved

Hated, experienced

Ups and downs

Bring wisdom

Joys and tears

Compassion Can be learned

As our lives

Connect with others

The journey can be

Long or short

Alone or with others

We have been there

Learned

And gained

 When you see us

White haired, frail

And bent

Don’t dismiss

The wisdom learned

On our journey

We’ll share if you sit

and Listen openly

To our wisdom

Who knows

It may

Soften your journey

And you may find

Obstacles

Moved out of the way

Where is everyone?

by worrylessjourney, posted in acceptance, expectations, gratitude

Things have been crazy around here. The Independent Living place where I live just can’t get help and all the others are in the same boat. It is an interesting phenomenon. It seems that every place cannot find enough staff. Last evening the people in charge were working in the dining room. Everyone from the CEO down. Wait staff is impossible to get. People come for interviews but don’t want to work.

It is not just us. Everywhere I go people are advertising for workers. What baffles me is where are the people who were working before covid? Did they all get jobs working from home? Did they get enough government bailouts to not have to work at all? It is a real mystery.

There is also the issue of the availability of products. That is worse than ever. The head chef can’t even get the food he orders. The same thing is true for the grocery stores. Shelves are still out of may items.

I guess we are just going to have to learn to live differently. I am blessed that I have a place to sleep and food to eat. Inconvenience is a minor thing compared to life altering problems.

Insanity is around us

by worrylessjourney, posted in abuse, aggravations, common sense

There is one thing about growing older that is frustrating. We won’t live to help our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren find hope when we self destruct. It is so hard not to worry about the polarization our country is experiencing. How do we get to the point where those with opposing opinions can talk without becoming angry and abusive.

What are we to do? I can remember when our representatives actually listened to each other and considered what was presented to them.

Currently we have states who have banned any abortion even when the mother has an ectopic pregnancy which will kill her. Oh well what, does the life of the mother matter.

Then there are states which allow killing of an infant who is full term and call it an abortion.

Has the whole world gone crazy?

(I know this sounds extreme but I have actually read the laws in the two states above. I have deliberately left out the names.)