So very well said Ditter and others ...... I am looking more like my mother every day and acting more like my grandmother ..... and nobody seems to care, sometimes not even me.

When I was up north for my granddaughters graduation, there was a family conflict going on and wonderment about attending the graduation. I told one of the parties that everyone has some kind of regret but don't let this be one of them because two people who are not related don't get along. Luckily, the most important people the graduate cherished the most were there with their unconditional love. No matter how much one gets upset with a loved one the last comment should always be " I love you and nothing else is more important than that." I don't agree with many things many others say, I have very few grey areas. What's right is right and what's wrong is wrong. I love all my family and I tell them all the time. I end every conversation with "I love you bye." That I will never have to regret saying. I love saying it to them. I also tell my grandchildren's mothers "Thank you and I love you for what you've given me. I may not like some of the things they do but I love them for giving me the grands.

Dear Ditter: It is the winter of my life also. I will be 70 on June 20. I have become one of the older people you spoke about! I have few to little regrets and have had a wonderful adult life. Not so much before age 18 however. I am so happy and content with my life and myself now. I, too, have aches and pains that weren't there , it seems just a little while ago. Where did they come from? They just sneaked up on me! I tell my family I love them all the the time and they will never know how much I really love them... Life has been good to me. And my faith has stood the test of time... May God's favor be on you always... Kindly, JoAnn

We recently went to a concert of an all-male chorus. Several friends of ours sing with this fun group. We got there and got seated and started looking for our friends. Couldn't find them in the choir. Looked, and looked, and was getting a bit upset - did we come and they weren't even singing? Finally, sheepishly, I realized I was looking for the upright, brown-haired, vigorous men of my memory. Not the stoop-shouldered, white-haired gentlemen who were up there ready to sing! Gave me a slap in the face with reality.

I have been blessed by the model of the strong women in my family who have led the way for me. The lovely ladies who gracefully and graciously showed me how to weather each season with dignity, to treat everyone with respect, and to love everyone in their worlds unconditionally. Thank you, Dear Ditter, for reminding me to live in the moment and appreciate what is while remembering what was.

Thanks Ditter. I'll be 67 in Sept. Am battling cancer, shingles and Candida albicans, a parasitic yeast. I just keep taking all these pills.......

I appreciate your insight and humor.

Where oh where has all the years gone? I sometimes think that. My oldest Daughter is turning 47 and I can remember when I was that age. Seems it wasn't that long ago. I just turned 68 a few days ago. I get burst of energy less often, glad I do still get them.
I have out lived 4 siblings and often wonder why. Three were younger than I and one was the oldest. Two years older than I. I am so thankful for my years on earth. I have 6 Grands, 1 more I adopted as a Grandson and 2 Great Granddaughters and a Great Grandson born 2 minutes after my birthday. I have been so blessed by living this long and be able to have them all in my life. Most importantly I still have my Husband. We are married 51 years. I remember my blessings real often.

Ditter... all so true... everyday we have a choice to make... do I smile? (at least as best I can...) or do I complain?
Some days it is certainly not easy to smile, but my prayer is that everyday, I choose to smile and be thankful for the many, many blessings of life.

If I live according to the statistics, and my genetics, I'm in the fall of life... but I know that God has a plan for me and I ask Him often to help me be ready for His plan!

Thanks for sharing!!!

Thanks Ditter! Oh, so true!

I just returned from taking my 83 and 85 yr old parents to the coast. I see the future real clear if I live another 20+ years. They both are in good health for their age. They refuse to use a walker, they both need one. They hold on to each other with one cane. It was like watching a child learning to walk...........................:shock:

Ditter you made me cry ! It is so true that life runs by. We must have been in the same high school class. Last month I attended my 60th reunion. Yes, I have had fun raised 4 children, have one sister, and 4 grandchildren and many friends world wide. I have my faith, an active passport, and a loving husband of almost 2 years. Also have a dog. As long as there is a good cup of coffee and fabric what more could I want???? Hugs