For today, I’m thinking about the physical/emotional loss we seniors experience. Not only seniors, I know, but let’s stay with them here. Other than the loss of friends and families by separation or death, age brings its own set of problems in this field.
Alexander Graham Bell said: ******"When one door closes another door opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us."
I think the power to do this is an example of inner strength, which I will think about in detail later. These that follow are the losses that have recently moved my heart and, then, my admiration.
One woman learned she could no longer ride or care for her horse of 25 years. She had debilitating arthritis.
A gifted woman whose hands had been weakened by arthritis could no longer handle the sharp tools of her woodworking shop safely. . .
Another lost the ability to keep her hives of bees, and bottle the honey. Physically, she just couldn’t do it on her own any longer. . .
A younger woman who was working and caring for her family was suddenly beset with pain, surgeries, hospitals and is largely confined to her home.
Death came for the cat-companion of a dear woman who now lives alone.
Another lost both breasts to breast cancer.
A certain Mistress of Novices taught that “There was no use to kick against the goad.” (goad - A long stick with a pointed end used for prodding animals.) and that is what we often mindlessly do when initially we simply cannot accept our losses. We must remember the beginning of the Serenity Prayer:
“God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.”
These women above, like so many of their counterparts the world over, have learned to stop mourning the door that has closed and have begun to see the one that has opened for them.
May we all be that strong.
