What are you most excited about for the future?
At the grand old age of 81, how much future do I have? I’m not being maudlin, just realistic. I am definitely past more than half of my life, even three quarters of it. If I live to be 100, that’s only about 19 more years which, is very little, in the scheme of things.
When I was 19, I was on the cusp of becoming an adult but, looking back, I realise that in many ways I was still a child. At 21, I became a mother. At 32, I became a teacher. At 40, I became a wife. Though in the wrong order according to many, those three things were the most important in the whole of my life. Everything I’ve done since then was because of those most important occasions. When, then, did I become an adult?
I’m not certain! Sometimes I still feel like a child. I imagine that many older people can look back and say the same.
Now – what is likely to happen in the future that I would find exciting?
I’d love to have a great grandchild! Of course, I would probably only see it once in a blue moon and I wouldn’t be able to look after it as I did when Chloe was a child.
Winning a big prize on the lottery would be exciting – the likelihood of that happening is minute, but it would be great to never have to worry about money again.
I find the thought of being able to see clearly, very exciting! I wrote, the other week, about my upcoming operation to remove the cataracts in both my eyes. I am happy to report that the first has been set to happen towards the end of August. If I survive that, I imagine the second op will happen in early 2025! I am finding my long sight is poorer and poorer and those things I should be able to see in detail, close up, I can’t see at all! Happily, I can still read (and write), which is great.
Another op on the horizon is one on my right wrist/hand, to cure the very annoying carpel tunnel syndrome. If I sit and hold a book or my iPad for long, the tips of my fingers go numb and then start to hurt. Over ten years ago, I had CTS in both hands and was given the choice of having the left or right hand fixed. I opted for the left as I am right-handed (and I use it for so many things, – tooth brushing, hair combing, stirring a pot of boiling soup, etc etc). The left hand in many cases is just not good enough to take over, even for a week or two. The consultant told me, at the time, that if I had one operated on, some people found that both were cured! It happened to me and that weird effect lasted for a good eight years or so. I will be excited to have my right hand working correctly again!
As you can see from all the above, this old lady doesn’t need to go mountain climbing or solo sailing round the world for excitement. Just waking up in the morning and not feeling bad is exciting!
White Haired Woman 
I like your article. Count your blessings, stop and smell the roses. My dad passed away at 95 years old last year and had a good life. As for the cataracts, I could relate. I had two removed. Thanks for sharing and God bless.
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Thanks!
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I hope you could see your grandchildren soon and win that big lottery that you want. I hope you heal quickly and go on a new adventure. I felt happy while I saw your post. Your life must’ve been difficult. I am feeling really hopeless about everything right now. If you have some time can you give this 22 year old any advice?
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Hi. Thanks for your kind message. I’m really sorry you are feeling hopeless at the moment but I’m not certain I am qualified to give advice. Good luck and feel better!
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It’s alright. Have a great day.
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I’m looking forward to completing the book about my childhood that I’ve been writing for years.
Saying that,I’m really dragging my heels as I’ve sort of said to myself,that when I finish it,I’m ready to die.I have loved doing the illustrations but suddenly realise that the people who may have related to it…..rationing,bomb shelters and ‘making do’ etc. are dying off by the minute and youngsters will probably find it boring.
P.S. I think I feel 22 inside.
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I’m looking forward to reading your autobiography and seeing more of the illustrations! I didn’t have any of the terrible things you all went through during the war. Living in the US had its value! My dad couldn’t go to war so was there, uncles were too young, grandpas too old. It passed Zanesville by, although there may have been casualties, they weren’t family and I would have been too young to know, anyway. My stepfather, who came along around the end of the war, had fought in the Pacific – he was what is/was called a Seabee, but he never talked about the war and it was in the past. I think there will be lots of younger people who will be interested in reading about a part of history that they will not have heard about, especially with the lovely little drawings you do!
PS 22 is just about right. 30 on a bad day!😀
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My realistic mom turns 82 this month, and she loves this post!♥️
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Thank you – and please thank your mom!
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