Isaiah 46:9
Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.
Just last year, I turn the big "60." I still have to pinch myself whenever I think about my chronological age; frankly, I don't feel a day over 40, and that's a good thing. But another good thing is I now qualify for my senior discount in many retail outlets, including the Publix up the street where we do all our grocery shopping.
The drawback, however, is that the senior discount is only offered on Wednesdays, not my usual day to shop. About two weeks ago, though, we have accumulated a list of grocery items required to complete the meals planned for the week. And when I realize it's Wednesday, I'm pumped!
I remind myself during the entire drive to Publix to ask for my discount at checkout. Yes, I know, it's only a 5% reduction in the sales total, but hey, a penny saved is a . . . you know the rest.
I cruise through the aisles with my cart and shopping list, eager to have this chore over and done with. The store is inordinately populated by those of us who fit into the senior demographic. I smile thinking I'm not the only one who wishes to take advantage of this bonus, no matter how small it is.
When I get in line to check out, I load my goodies on the conveyor belt, and am immediately distracted by the tabloid headlines screaming at me from the display rack. They are a sad reminder of how many people out there celebrate the fall of the mighty as it makes them feel better about their own dreary or troublesome lives.
The friendly voice of the young clerk averts my attention. She deftly rings up my purchases while a college-aged boy bags my groceries, all the while carrying on a lively conversation. I swipe my debit card, take my receipt, and head out to my car.
It isn't until I get home and remove the receipt from my wallet that I realize with dismay: I neglected to ask for my senior discount!!!
Talk about your classic senior moment. This one takes the cake!
The whole cake . . .
And as many of you who follow me here may be aware, my father suffered for years from Alzheimer's before the Lord graciously took him home in March of 2014. The fear that my future holds the same, especially when I forget such a simple thing as I do this day, at age 60, rears its ugly head. I can't help but wonder if my dad, when he was my age, was beginning to forget what was obvious and on the front burner of his mind.
I'll never know for sure . . .
But I do know this: God will be with me no matter what the future brings. He will help me to remember the former things, those of long ago, even if and when my mind drifts away from the present. I will ever be His child, and He will be my God.
The One like no other is the God in whom I trust.
He will see me through all my senior moments.
~
Do you ever have a senior moment? Does it worry you, or do you take it in stride?
Prayer: Father, many of us have valid reasons to fear the future as we age. Let us rely on You to allay those fears, to set them aside, and focus upon Your eternal promise, that You will ever be with us. God, may we praise You unceasingly all of our days. It is in Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Do I ever have a senior moment? What is this thing called? Oh yeah...a blog. Whew! I remembered. That must mean the answer to your question is No. :) At 63 I have more than I care to count. My mom died at 71 with a rare form of lung cancer. Does it cross my mind? Yep but, like you, I also know whose hands I am really in. Where am I?
ReplyDeleteLol, Bill! So glad one of the gifts God has blessed you with is the ability to laugh at yourself - we all need that, for sure. Though we may have those senior moments, more than we would like, we do know the hands that hold us and will never let go.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Senior moments can multiply when your spouse has Alzheimer's. For example, I bought two books of stamps, used a few stamps out of one of them and I put it back into my desk drawer, I thought. I could not find it when I went to mail a check yesterday. Had I put it in another spot, accidentally thrown it away, or did my wife pick it up and do something with it? When you are dealing with Alzheimer's, you may not own all those senior moments. Then again, maybe you do, but you are not sure.
ReplyDeleteI hear you loud and clear. My mother, with round the clock help, took care of my father until the end. She often said the same thing about her own forgetfulness at times; I do think those moments can be brought on by our own stresses and fears in that situation.
DeleteMay God bless you and keep you strong for your spouse.
Love and blessings!
Our grocery has senior discount day on Tuesday, also not my normal shopping day, but they also have a rewards card program and if you use their rewards card, your DOB is on it and you automatically get the senior discount on Tuesday without having to tell anyone. That helps this senior to avoid that particular senior moment.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's a fantastic method! Sure would have come in handy for me on that fateful Wednesday. :)
DeleteLove and blessings!
Hi Martha! I am a bit of a 'senior moment' prodigy. I started having them in my 40's. I was just remembering today how I forgot one of the kids' sippy cups. I had put it on the roof of the car when I got them in the car seats. Then I drove across state lines to get home, wondering what that clunking sound was in the car?
ReplyDeleteOf course, it was the cup, rolling all around the roof of the station wagon. I got home, and there it was. Intact. No worse for wear. Pssh. And so it began...
My Papa also had dementia, my MIL had it too. You have a really great attitude about it, that the Lord will be with us. And he will! We'll be okay. As long as I can find the coffee, I figure I'll be okay!
Blessings,
Ceil
Yes! As long as we can find the coffee, Ceil, we will be just fine! :) Thank you for sharing your story here about the sippy cup. I think we all, whether we are headed for serious memory loss or not, do those things from time to time. Maybe because our minds are too overloaded or we're stressed? Hmm. Just a thought.
DeleteLove and blessings!
A hilarious story of true reality. Been there, done that!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you found the story entertaining, Shira! And yes, I think we've all had at least one or two senior moments we can recall, can't we?
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, I'm thinking I'm still a bit too young for senior moments, however, I have what I call "blonde" moments (and I'm not a blonde!)--chalking it up to changing hormones and sometimes simply having too much on my mind.
ReplyDeleteNo matter what happens God is there along side of us wherever life takes us.
Love and blessings!
Kim, I love the idea of "blonde" moments! Since I highlight my hair to look more blonde, maybe I should simply change my outlook as to those seemingly senior moments. :) Great perspective!
DeleteAnd yes, changing hormones and having a mind chock full of to-dos often make us forgetful. When I taught school, I had to write everything, and I mean everything, in my agenda (planner) or it was for sure I would forget it. Here's to hoping God will declutter our minds. :)
Love and blessings!
Yes, Martha, I know of what you speak. My father suffered from dementia before he passed away, and I am watching my mother slide into it now, too. Her mother also experienced it. I get VERY scared about the possible genetic connection. And yes, every time I forget something (which is happening more frequently at almost-62), I freak out. I console myself with the knowledge that I have a lot on my mind, but still...am I losing it? What does MY future hold?
ReplyDeleteSometimes the thought runs away with me. And it is then that I have to purposefully refocus on Jesus. No matter what, HE holds my future. And if I lose my mind, my soul is firmly held in His hands.
You know what?! Even if we have senior moments, and even if we get lost in the shadowland of dementia, one day we will have perfectly functioning and imperishable minds and bodies! That is a hope to hang on to.
Now where did I put my glasses?!?!?!
GOD BLESS!
Oh, boy, Sharon, you do have it hitting from both sides of the genetic spectrum. It is so easy to freak out and allow our thoughts to run amok when we see our parents failing and think the same could happen to us.
DeleteBut turning to Jesus for comfort and strength IS the answer to all our worries and woes. He is, as you say, the One who holds our future, and most importantly, our eternal future where all scars will be finally healed. Let's both hang on to that hope with both hands!
And where did you put your glasses? LOL! Half the time, when I'm looking for mine, they're perched on the top of my head!
Love and blessings!
You make me smile. I love getting those senior discounts but have been noticing they don't even ask anymore if we qualify. mmmm, not good. I will blame my hubby's gray hair. ha. Deep inside I feel more like 35 I think and am grateful for health so I do feel young. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThe grey will give it away every time, Jean!
DeleteI was back at Publix today and DID remember to ask for the discount, thank goodness. Hoping for no more senior moments in that department.
And isn't it great to have our health at this stage in life? Like you, I believe we are as young as we feel in our hearts. I like this saying, too: Growing old is not an option; growing up is. Let's be as little children each and every day!
Love and blessings!
Well this made me smile :) I have my own moments too, reminded me of those!
ReplyDeleteThen I guess one doesn't have to be a senior to experience those moments. Glad it brought a smile to your face, Privy!
DeleteLove and blessings!