Poem -
75
Three quarters of a century
It's enough to fill a book
Some not worth its place in memory
But much deserves its second look
Once your life was in your hands
Lived only as you wished you to do
You've made a many stuborn stands
Always to yourself you've remained true
I'd say you're built a bit differently
Next to your day in, day out man
Might not come together instantly
But will come round to fit plan
Three quarters of a century
Builds much a tale that can be told
Can only hope one day, eventually
I'll have lived to be this old
-Ashley McRitchie
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Comments
Such a wise write Ashley, so insightful.
Being of the upper numbers myself I can tell you that your words ...for me...ring true. Youth brings the most wonderful.protective blinkers where anything is possible...for some. Most of us though share the similar ordinary experience of hardship, love and loss with the most extraordinary beautiful moments caught between. We start off as the most beautiful unique vessels, filled and emptied too many times by life... cracked, broken, chipped...any remaining pieces buried and forgotten. That mostly is the dissapointment of life...our stories are relevant only to ourselves and our experiences universal and common to all.
So...enjoy those beautiful moments right there...as they happen...because memories are over rated and are often the only cruel torments left. Hugs x
Thank you so, so much for noticing and for your reflection responding. I actually have ended up spending a fair bit of my life in the company of several different century approaching individuals. I've definitely clocked several hours, I'd say I'm the hundreds easily. And it's not like I work for a retirement home or anything like that, not even a hospital either. I've always just sort of gravitated to spending my time with all sorts of seniors. Have come from varying walks of life, with the common grounds of only the gap in time. Right now while I'm trying to share this recollection with you, I'm noticing just how weird it really is, sort of, I guess. It's partially because I think you guys lived your prime years during my favorite years of existence. From what I can tell watching from here anyway. I've heard it all, first hand, from fur coats and playing along side Louis Armstrong, to bank heists and biker gang establishment. I've ended up seeing a few to their 90's and one so far as 100! Even as a kid, it was actually my pleasure to spend time with the grandparents that lasted a long to me, as well as many of my friends g parents, and ppl in my neighbourhood, apartment, shops, places frequented etc...
I've truly learned too much to even fully absorb. And I've been graced with so many temperaments, styles, approaches, etc... And I think this has helped me to well round my own. Been told I'm an "old soul" myself, since as far back as I can remember.
So if you ever feel like sharing any of those stories with me, I'd love to hear them!
I don't have any stories Ashley I've lived worked party'd loved and lost just like anyone else. In the end loss defines me and I find the whole charade utterly pointless, the world horrific and death cruel. I am 60 by the way and we have no control over our lives...it is all illusion. I work.with people of all ages in the hospitals and mostly old age is appalling...broken vessels waiting to die...don't even know their own names...all of them wanting to go home...to their mammys. Strange that... no matter how many children or husbands ..in the end...they want their mams. I suppose my story is ...i'm a mother...that has been my greatest story, my greatest joy...my ultimate grief. Hugs x
I've never sent any words your way about the loss of your son. Not an easy thing to bring up, but my heart breaks for you everytime I read your words. Such beautiful words applied to such an ugly picture. I know nothing I could say would ever do any good. I couldn't even imagine, I don't ever want to, hope I never have to. And I'm so sorry that you have, no one should ever have to feel what you have...
You're even younger than my parents, never mind comparable to theirs. And I absolutely can imagine that my experience enjoying what age can offer to me now, would be far from what I'll feel when approaching it myself. Probly just the way she goes tho. I'll be there one day too.
Hi love, I don't expect any words from you honestly..they don't help and the last thing I want is sympathy love...I write about death because it consumes me lol...every day.
I am bitter...there...said it. You are right though, many elderly have fascinating stories to tell and when i first started working with them enjoyed them too but thats the thing about life it tends to destroy the fairy tales we tell ourselves. More and more dementia has certainly changed my view of old age...seeing them die prolonged and lonely deaths on wards...it can often be cruel ugly and undignified...but it's not all bad news as you say, sometimes there will be one sprightly elderly man or lady who has not lost their story and then ..yes, they are the most fascinating and interesting people to be around. Hugs to you my friend x
Hey... record straight... upper numbers but nowhere even close to 75 lol. You obviously have an affinity with elders and a thirst for their history's... long may you be so charmed Ashley... because it's a beautiful thing. Hugs x