There are always pros and cons to every situation, decision, etc. The pros and cons pertaining to my upcoming move go through my head constantly, but the cons always jump out at me!
I won't be able to walk to anything. To get to a store, vet, etc., in my present location is about a mile & a quarter, a 25 or30 minute walk (and the same when I walk back home). That doesn't seem like much, but in my present condition and state of health it is a lot, although it would probably be the best thing I could do for my health! Walking for my health (and of course, Rocky's health) will be the only kind of walking I will be doing in the new location.
I love the idea of living with/close to my daughter, but perhaps I'd be better off in a community of seniors where I'd have company of people who I might be more compatible with.
I was born in November of 1940, and those of you within 5 or 10 years either way of my age, will understand that we are entirely different from those who came along after us. A 50 or 60 year old probably has no clue - and I'm not being judgmental - a person 40 years old or younger wouldn't have a clue about the 50-60 year-olds! We all have lived through different times, different governments and world situations, different economic times as well as different economic levels in society. My being born in 1940 has shaped and defined who I am, and there is no getting around it - I'm different than most generations alive today. There are also differences in liberal/conservative thinking, and you can probably guess where I fall in this category, if you have read most of my posts over the years. I'm wildly liberal, but can get along with wildly conservative folks who are open minded and agree to disagree. I confuse a lot of people, including my children and younger siblings, because I'm socially ultra liberal but personally ultra conservative. I hate to waste anything, although I don't feel like I was deprived as a child - and all my friends were mostly in the same boat. My mother-in-law was fond of saying that we are "going to hell in a hand-basket"! And we probably are.
I'm sure some of you will find that you and I are very similar in our backgrounds and our thinking, and some of you have had entirely different experiences in your lives. In the blogger world, however, we can find common ground or we probably wouldn't be reading each others' blogs!
Enough philosophizing! Our life spans get shorter each day, and we cannot do a thing about it except to make the best of and enjoy every minute of every day. I hope I've mostly done that, and I can honestly say I've had an extraordinarily wonderful life and family. I'm also grateful for the few, close friends I've had over the years. Also for the many wonderful acquaintances who go in and out of our lives.
I find that as I get older I become more appreciative of life, friends, acquaintances, and opportunities. I'd love to hear how you feel about this.
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I can understand your post very well. I am at the point in my life where I am tired of all the bickering in the world and wish we could all get along but I think that is impossible. I hope you find more pros than cons in your new place. In your shoes I would bet biting at the bit to get going already 😉 hard to wait until December. 😁
ReplyDeleteThe wait is driving me crazy! As a cancer patient, I have no idea the span of life I have left.
DeleteI feel the same as you, born in 1947, so a little younger, but not that much by far. Also liberal.. and no, others coming after do not have a clue
ReplyDeleteThe 40's were good years in many respects. As a child I didn't have all the distractions today's kids have - no iPhones to stick my nose into all day, no TV to watch - just fresh air to be outdoors in; we played outdoors and didn't have to be under the constant watchful eye of an adult.
DeleteI think one of the big cons about the senior living would be whether you could have Rocky with you. I have become much more conservative as I've aged but there's still a lot of liberal in me. I often wonder if my parents thought about how stupid people are or if its because we get bombarded with "news" constantly that the idiots are winning. Hopefully when you're walking Rocky in your new neighborhood, he'll help you make new friends.
ReplyDeleteI've looked at senior living back in my old neighborhood that allows pets - Rocky might be too big for some places, but I could probably find one that would allow him. As far as Rocky goes, he doesn't have time for me when Jeannie is around. When he was a small puppy I would say or do something and Jeannie would jump in and correct me, etc. A dog is so smart they learn from that. I am my own person but as I get older I detest conflict, so I'm likely to keep my mouth shut while burning inside. I think he sensed that I didn't challenge her so he figures she's the top dog. It breaks my heart but I can't do a thing about it now. I did mention it to her back when, but it was already too late. I am just not interested in conflict at this point in my life, but I think I've been the loser in this situation.
DeleteI think the big "con" of senior living is the certainty of regularly losing your new friends. Of course, we lose people no matter where we live, but when many seniors are together, losses will be much more frequent. So, even though it's true that you would have more in common, the time to enjoy that would be limited. I wish there were a way for you to meet up with other seniors on a regular basis, some towns have very active senior citizen centers that provide opportunities for seniors to socialize. Transportation would need to be provided, though. And, given the current "values" of our society, taking care of seniors' needs is not high on the list of priorities for spending money. P.S. I came along 3 years after you, so have experienced much the same world.
ReplyDeleteOn a hopeful note, there will be 3 houses in close proximity, with ours being on one end; I understand that the house on the other end is also a "NextGen" home, that is, a large home with separate but connected living quarters that could be used by seniors, college students, etc. The only thing that could make a difference is that I am probably going to be the oldest person for miles around, so even if there are "NextGens" they will probably be a generation or two away from me.
DeleteI was born in 1941 so I understand where you are coming from. I used to be liberal but over the years I have found the definition of liberal has changed. It used to be a liberal was understanding and tolerant of another persons opinion and would not keep them from sharing it whether they agreed with it or not but still got along. Now the term seems to mean something totally in reverse. "I have my opinion which is right and your opinion should not be expressed". To think otherwise you are the enemy.
ReplyDeleteI recall speaking to our Chief of Police in Tallahassee, FL one time and he said our rights were not taken away but we surrendered them via apathy. I have found he is right and I see our rights eroding and we don't seem to care. Times have changed and I guess us older folk are just too tired or worn out to care and the younger people assume someone else will look out for them. The whole situation is very sad in my opinion.
I think you are pretty much on target with the fact that we don't seem to understand the importance of maintaining our rights, as well as those with differences of opinion. Civility has gone out the window as well, in so many cases. I would be interested in hearing from others on this issue.
DeleteDitto.....
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