Birthday Cakes And Candles

The years slip by with birthday cakes and candles.
First when we are one year old and on till we are
seventy and more.
We make our wishes and hope
       they come true.

Throughout the years we go
and of course never know
  when our last birthday will be.

What is it like to get older-
 I'll tell you my experience-
  If you live on your own it can
   be scary at times-
     not knowing what future years
      will bring.

I feel my bones and my body
   slowly breaking down.
I get lot of aches and pains
  sometimes my friends and I
     discuss them.
 We laugh about it- but sometimes
  it's anything but funny.

Getting older is wondering where
  you will end up.
   Hoping and praying you will
     be able to stay in your home, apartment-
       you want to remain self-sufficient-
         you want to keep your mental capacity.
          You don't want to be some pathetic-looking
             old lady
                 hobbling along.

There are times when you still
   feel good and young and
     hearing music on the radio
   you want to dance around-
      and you do.
But after awhile you have to stop
   because those aching knees
     remind you-"You're not who you used to be."

There are times you look at yourself in the mirror
  and don't recognize that person-
     she looks so different now.

Getting older isn't all bad-
  You've hopefully gotten somewhat
            wiser.
You notice things more-
    every beautiful sunrise and
      every breath-taking sunset.

You hear the rain at night as
  you pull the cover up around you-
    happy you are safe in your own bed.

You never know what day will be your last
   so you are lot more grateful for each
      precious one.

There are so many things you
   think about and so many times
     you remember-starting way back
       when you were only a toddler.

Most of the people you loved and held dear
 are gone now.
  You often think about them and wonder
    where they are-
      can they see me-are they praying for me.

Inevitably you will wonder what happens to me-
   the essence of me when I'm gone.
    I believe in God and a life
      hereafter but I still don't
       know just how it will be.

So I pray, I trust God to take care of me
    as God always has-my whole life.
 Then I wake up to a new day
   and say-Thank you God.