Feeling Old and Useless? A Splash of Serenity for Those Over 65

All right, Seniors, it's time to get up to that plate and enjoy a grand slam (and I'm not talking Denny's).

You'll be encouraged to live your life to the fullest with some baseball analogies and Yogi Berra-isms in my guest blog today titled "Don't Say You're Too Old."

Check the blog out by clicking here:

http://www.upgradewithdawn.com/blog/2016/1/19/dont-say-youre-too-old.html 

Thank you Dawn Wilson for allowing me to be your guest on your Upgrade with Dawn blog.

 May God splash serenity and purpose on every old and young life.

Why I Love My Birthday

Why do I love birthdays? Wow! Birthdays are a celebration of another God-given year to live and love and serve and shine. Another year to enjoy and cuddle  grandchildren and love my man and eat birthday cake! I LOVE birthday cake! Birthdays are days not to diet. Birthdays are days to celebrate the beauty of being alive. Birthdays are fun!

Many of my friends died young.  Three with cancer in their 40's dared dream that they would live to celebrate their 50th birthday,  attend their children's weddings, and  hold their grandbabies. At their bedsides, I vowed silently that I would never grieve birthdays. I would celebrate them. In memory and in honor of  dear friends I loved whose lives ended in sickness, car crashes, and wars, I celebrate you and how your life touched mine.  Because of you, my life is richer and my birthdays are more fun. I remember you as I treasure each year God gives me to live. May I never waste precious time.

"Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time.

But no one seems to care or understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come.

For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die."

Isaiah 57:1

Here is this year's silly birthday poem. I write because writing makes me happy and today is my Happy Birthday!

Oh, man alive!

How could I no longer be 65?

Am I really 66

When I still enjoy playing pick up stix?

Oh my, oh my, I'm in quite a fix.

I'm not sure I like being 66.

After all, I still order BABY cones at Lakeside Licks

So how can I be 66?

When setting goals, never in my top 10 picks

Was even the thought of being 66.

Still remember boys looking at me as one of the cute chicks!

No more — today I'm 66

For fun I made a cake from a mix

But, alas, there was no room for 66 wicks.

Can you even be 66

Without 66 wicks?

Enough of these silly tricks.

I thank God for blessing me times 66.

I smile and realize in another year if I'm not in Heaven

I'll reach that beautiful age of 67.

 Splashes of Serenity on me today! After all, it's my birthday and I thank God I am alive!

Clôsing on a Marriage

We're closing on our new house today, so why is my heart heavy? The couple selling their house are divorcing. Since I learned why this beautiful home was for sale, I started praying the couple would live their dream in the home they built together. For the next few hours, until we sign those papers, I will pray for reconciliation. I'd rather save a marriage than buy a house today.

We've never met the sellers. We do know their children are grown, they love dogs, she has a gift for decorating and color, and he is an amazing builder.  Several years ago they signed mortgage papers on this house they made into a home. Meticulous and hard working, they remodeled every inch of the 43 year old house in need of repair. Somewhere in the middle of rebuilding a home, their marriage crumbled.

I'm sad for them.   I feel guilty turning the key to the home they hoped to enjoy until death parted them. Instead, they created a cozy retirement retreat for my love and me.

It doesn't seem right, but does divorce ever seem right? I wonder if a year from now they will rejoice or regret their decision?

Eyeopener: The majority of divorced people regret their divorce.

Statistic: The divorce rate for people over 50 has doubled in the last 20 years.

Will you join me in the next few hours and pray for their marriage?

What a splash of serenity to not buy a house today!

You are Never Too Old to Impact Lives

Splash! Her eyes moistened with joy watching nine baptisms from her own back yard — beautiful Lake George. "Oh my husband would have loved this!" the sweet gray haired widow with the infectious smile teared up as she welcomed her entire church for a picnic and a baptism at her beautiful home.

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The day was spectacular — the Lake, the Adirondack Mountains, and a hostess whose inner beauty sparkled like the water. 

Excited, as though she had just begun an adventure, she told me of that Sunday morning's children's Sunday School class and ended with, "I've been teaching children since I was 16 years old." 

"How old are you now?"

"82!"

How many 82 year old widows do you know still teaching Sunday School, and inviting the whole church to their backyard for a picnic and the baptism of many of those children?

This dear one inspired me. I want to be like her. We really are never too old to impact lives!

Splashes of Serenity = obedience to God's call on your life until death takes you to Heaven.

So, what do you hope to be doing when you are 82?  

Happy Birthday to My Hubby

To my wonderful man,

I just want to ROAR
I'm so happy you're 64!
Life with you is never a bore.

My love for you goes to my core.
You make me laugh til my tummy's sore.
Your kisses take my feet off the floor.
I love you deeply, that's for sure.

You know, we still have lots to explore.
Hawaii to tour.
Airplanes to soar.
Yummy food--give me more!
Greens to yell, "Fore!"
Fly-fish a Montana shore.
Let's go to Italy and "amore!"

Grandbabies to adore.
God keeps giving us more and more!

I thank Him for you with a big High Five
Knowing it will be even better when you're 65.

Thanking God for the splash of serenity He gave me when He gave me you,

Your Elaine

My Birthday Poem to Me

With a big "Yippee!"
And a Happy Birthday to me!
I'm thankful to say I'm 63!

I feel so free!
Finally figured out God's will for me.
Don't feel bad, I plea.
I'm glad to be alive, you see.

And so much more to be!
Oh my, still haven't snorkeled the Caribean sea!
More grandbabies to hold on my knee.
Lots of meals to eat at the Senior's fee.
No problem putting a golf ball on its tee.
Still lovin' my hubby--hee, hee, hee!

I thank God for thee
Who have walked roads with me.
Thanks for your prayers and cups of tea.
You are all so special--golly!
I'm blessed by your love unconditionally.

Life is all just Splashes of Serenity!

Looking forward with glee
To 12 months more
When I can announce I'm 64!

Happy Birthday to me!

Elaine