I am beginning to think there’s an evil group of monsters who design packaging so difficult to open that one needs a knife, hammer, and bolt cutters to get to the contents. In the last couple of weeks, I’ve tried to open a bottle of salad dressing, a label-maker, and a package of salad mix.…
Why should dying scare a professing Christian?
In my father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:12 “I’m afraid to die.” I’ve heard this comment from more than one older person. And all are professing Christians. What is going on? Christians have an abiding belief…
Growing up is not a piece of cake – Life lessons learned with age
Our friends at Landmark Living have posted another informative and insightful article on aging…. Everyone faces challenges which you have to be prepared for. Problems are there to make you stronger but only if you let them! Dealing with challenges helps you become a stronger person. Whether you are young or old, the issues below…
Grouchiness, Aging and Dementia
Question from a reader: My aging grandmother is becoming more grouchy and pushy. She doesn’t hesitate to voice whatever she thinks, whether or not it’s rude. How does a Christian deal with that? The Bible says to honor our father and mother, so how do we honor our aging loved ones when they act like…
Caring for an aging loved one
Have you ever flipped through old photos? Many times I don’t recognize the people whose picture I captured years ago. People pass in and out of our lives. We move. We change jobs or churches. We no longer have common interests. Sometimes a death occurs. With the result that a photo taken years ago no…
Three Major Benefits of Senior Living – considering your options
One of the most challenging facets of life is how quickly things change as a person ages. The time spent building a life, working hard, and raising a family seems to pass in an instant. Once the kids move out and start families of their own, a beautiful home can become an empty place. This…
Grieving a Life Well Lived
My brother died in May at the age of sixty-five. His death was sudden; a jarring crash into the reality that we all have an expiration date. Although he was four years older, we were close growing up. Every summer our grandma and grandpa (Nini and Yangie) took us camping for two weeks. My oldest…
Everyone I know Is Dead – Part 2
Aging and isolation, helping elders cope with seclusion when they start losing loved ones. I met Alene when she lived with her son, Greg and his wife. She is another elderly woman who struggled with loss and loneliness, but her story is different. When Alene became too frail for Greg and his wife to provide…
Chicken Skin and other signs of aging
“EEK!” My husband, Mike, ran into the bedroom. “What happened? Do I need to kill a spider?” “NO,” I wailed. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, pinching the skin of my upper arm. “I have chicken skin.” I turned to show him. “Honey, you’re still as beautiful to me as the…
My Mother’s Hands
My mother gave me her ring. She can’t wear it anymore. Her once slender fingers have become swollen with arthritis. Four perfectly matched diamonds are mounted in a row on a gold band. I always thought it was her wedding ring because she’s worn it for as long as I can remember. She recently told…