Living Longer
I just watched a television program with senior citizens in physical contest with out of shape teens and twenty-somethings. Those seniors could kick butt and actually won the bicycling and swimming contest against the youngsters. Incredible. But it got me thinking. I'm from a family that reaches 100 plus years. When I tell people that, they get all excited. Wow, I wish my life expectancy were that long, they'd say. But does anyone really realize what a long life really means?
Well, let me tell you.
It means you could end up in your late sixties caring for a hundred year old. It means that you could run out of money for your own retirement. We boomers don't have the pensions our parent's generation has. It means you could end up living in a senior citizen home for forty years. My great-aunt lived in one nearly that long. It means you'll have to get used to more social changes--changes you may not like. Think about how it was thirty years ago and compare it to the times we're living in now.
It means we could end up seeing two generations in nursing homes. I read of a 95 year old woman moving to one to care for her 72 year old daughter. It means seeing the death of nearly everyone you loved or cared for: husbands and maybe your own children. It also means that you could end up in the care of a generation not yet born.
I don't mean to be doom and gloom, but it's not all great having a long life expectancy. I ended up going to nursing school because at 45, I could have just as many years ahead of me as the average 20 something. At 50 I dropped out, because I just wasn't up to lifting and doing the stuff required of a nurse. Which brings me to another point. Living a long time doesn't mean you'll have good health throughout. I've got relatives nearing the 100 year mark begging to go. They're not well, dragging around sick. And lots are missing their loved ones and are ready to go home.
So, my final point. Living a long time can cause financial hardships and a phletoria of other things. But the worst thing for me is the longer I'm here, the longer I'm away from Heaven and all it has to offer.
Well, let me tell you.
It means you could end up in your late sixties caring for a hundred year old. It means that you could run out of money for your own retirement. We boomers don't have the pensions our parent's generation has. It means you could end up living in a senior citizen home for forty years. My great-aunt lived in one nearly that long. It means you'll have to get used to more social changes--changes you may not like. Think about how it was thirty years ago and compare it to the times we're living in now.
It means we could end up seeing two generations in nursing homes. I read of a 95 year old woman moving to one to care for her 72 year old daughter. It means seeing the death of nearly everyone you loved or cared for: husbands and maybe your own children. It also means that you could end up in the care of a generation not yet born.
I don't mean to be doom and gloom, but it's not all great having a long life expectancy. I ended up going to nursing school because at 45, I could have just as many years ahead of me as the average 20 something. At 50 I dropped out, because I just wasn't up to lifting and doing the stuff required of a nurse. Which brings me to another point. Living a long time doesn't mean you'll have good health throughout. I've got relatives nearing the 100 year mark begging to go. They're not well, dragging around sick. And lots are missing their loved ones and are ready to go home.
So, my final point. Living a long time can cause financial hardships and a phletoria of other things. But the worst thing for me is the longer I'm here, the longer I'm away from Heaven and all it has to offer.
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