Looking ahead, looking back.

In class this week we did in activity that simply involved us closing our eyes and listening to our instructor guide our minds to visualize ourself infront of a mirror at 75. I had a hard time actually seeing myself, but instead I kept seeing my grandma, who is currently 82, and in early stages of Alzheimer's. At first my mind wondered to the more obvious outer appearance changes. Of course I didn't really like what I saw, but it was just that, outer apperance. It was when I looked on the inside that this activity became more emotional for me. I continued to think of my gma, as I was thinking of how I got ready and how hard simple things were for me to do that I once did without second thought. I pictured myself with several of these physical changes that I have seen in my gma, and thought of the emotional impact it would have on me. When did these "simple" tasks become so hard? Starring into the "mirror" my "old" self kept seeing me at my current age, 26, and wondering where in the world did the time go? Did I do what I wanted with my life? What could/should I have done differently? What would I do to see my son again splashing in the waves at the beach for hours on end. WOW, where did my life go?

Everyone is going to get older, it is a part of life we must accept. That doesn't make it easy though. After this assignment, I realized that each day I am here is special, and it is up to me to make the most of it; one day, I won't have a chance to go back and do it over.

I found an interesting blog on the perspective of aging, and wanted to share http://http://coachirisblogs.com/2010/11/21/thinking-learning-laughing-crying-aging-end-of-life-reflections/