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Life's Mile Markers
by
Rose Limongi
Friday, November 26, 2004
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After many conversations with people of all ages, this poured forth. Perhaps it is more an observation than a proper poem.
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Birthdays come and birthdays go
Like hair, waistlines and memories
The first 21 birthdays we climb the hill of rights
At the peek, we begin the descent into middle age
At 40 we are proud, free, and think we look " good for our age "
As we reach 45, we no longer want people to know our age, the Zsa Zsa Gabor syndrome rules and midlife crisis means upending life and questioning everything and everyone
At 50 we contemplate things like mammograms, prostate exams, and 401K's
The 55th anniversary of our birth means being eligible for AARP, senior discounts and group travels
Between 60 and 65 we have full extended lives, children, grandchildren and volunteer activities
By 70 we're clinging to the twilight of our middle age, hoping to eek out a few more years of golf, tennis or long walks on the beach
75 finds us avoiding the sun like the plague, drinking Ensure and conversing with friends about who's the latest person to have died
The reality of 80 means a happy day to wake up and not find your name in the obits, and new words like walkers, assisted living facilities, cremation, and Alzheimer's enter your vernacular
85 finds women burying their men, grieving their loss of partner and their diminishing quality of life
If 90 is in our life chances, terms like DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) and Power of Attorney are drummed into our caregivers heads while we find ourselves regressing and giving into the secret desire for ice cream or a doughnut, and flirting feels good - because we remember
By 95 we're a miracle who's lived a full life, stealing moments of privacy from nurses, aides and grown children who think they know best, our last ties to independence and self-respect being cut bit by bit
At 100, we're a story on the news, a novelty to be shown around like an antique - and if we have any memory left, we long for nothing more than to do it all again - but THERE not here.
(copyright 2004) Rose Limongi
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| Reviewed by SOULFUL SHEE G. Pulsing In Passionate Purple PassionS |
9/10/2005 |
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| Tough realization Rose- Every moment counts- everyday is a Blessing! Every movement is an a reason to keep moving, I hope that is understood well- Warmly,Sheee |
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| Reviewed by Andre Bendavi Benyehu (Reader) |
1/24/2005 |
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"Life's Mile Markers" takes the reader for a tour around the cycle of human body, and stimulates toughts on life. It has a special message that this reader felt: "BE CAREFUL IN THE USING OF YOUR TIME; MAKE IT PRODUCE WONDERS WHILE YOU LIVE."
Healthy Creative Long Life, Poet!
Thank You for sharing "Life's Mile Markers".
Andre Emmanuel Bendavi ben-YEHU |
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| Reviewed by Reginald Birch |
1/15/2005 |
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Rose, you have hit life right on the button, love the "If 90" paragraph, I feel at times I have reach there already, but then on other days I feel "at 40" stage.
Really enjoyed,Thank you,
Reg |
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| Reviewed by Kate Clifford |
12/7/2004 |
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| Yes aging can be funny :-) Great write. |
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| Reviewed by Cynthia Castle |
12/7/2004 |
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Rose,
What a delightful and insightful expression of the ages! Actually, each year that we live is a gift, and should be considered a mile marker, which in a way is since we celebrate our birthdays each year! I really enjoyed this write, which is filled with much truth and wisdom! Thank you for sharing this timeless treasure.
Cynthia |
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| Reviewed by Nordette Adams |
12/4/2004 |
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Excellent observations. At 100 we also get a big "Good Morning" from the national weather guy on NBC. I'm so looking forward to that.
Highly reflective, provocative write, Rose. I enjoyed it. |
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| Reviewed by Tracey L. O' Very (Reader) |
12/1/2004 |
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This is too true. And I guess cuz of my age got a giggle through this. Then we get to the dignity piece by piece. A very important thing to remember to give to those young at heart and soul folks. A very important thing. Thank You for that reminder.
I liked this much.
God Bless you and your family,
Warmest and Happiest of holidays and all days
Tracey |
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| Reviewed by Bob Holt |
12/1/2004 |
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Very interesting timeline. I'm not looking forward to parts of it. Hair, waistlines, and memories is a great analogy.
Bob H |
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| Reviewed by John Banasiewicz Jr |
11/29/2004 |
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Rose,
Well lets see where I am here now as I count my senior travel discounts as I read here,,, mmm double mmm I got a lot to look forward to here till I hit 89 but probably will be passing on things past 89, just doesn't look like I would enjoy them,
Thinks for letting me know what the next 32 years holds out for me
~~~&&***
Tommy |
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| Reviewed by Karen Lynn Vidra, The Texas Tornado |
11/29/2004 |
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nice slice of life journey, rose; enjoyed this very much! well done!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in tx., karen lynn. :D |
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| Reviewed by Thomas Lanechanger |
11/28/2004 |
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| Rose, it is easy to understand now why I do not listen to anyone under the age of 35 anymore, my friend… lol. Seriously though, I do not consider wasting my time with the younger generation (except my children and grandchildren), out of fear they do not fully value what it takes to age gracefully. I try and put a price tag on the toll road needed to travel to achieve the wisdom to express and appreciate how many bumps it took to get where I am at today for them, but they think they have all the answers. Not! Except for my eldest son, who himself has three children, has finally accepted what I have been trying to teach him since birth. Although it’s taken him a lot longer than I had hoped. I still try to keep in shape, gravity has begun taking over and giving me a whole new shape without my consent… lol. There are so many truths to this timeless piece, that I shall just keep it. Hopefully I’ll find the necessary time very soon and do something with the other piece you wrote, “It seems To Me That.” They say life should become easier as well get older, yet I’m still waiting for that to happen. Thanks again for allowing me the privilege to do something with it, and for sharing your thoughts and creative work. Take good care and be well. |
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| Reviewed by E T Waldron |
11/27/2004 |
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You have penned an exceptional piece Rose, you envision the life-cycle
very well and give your poem meaning with the beauty of your expression! Thanks for sharing! |
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| Reviewed by Regis Auffray |
11/27/2004 |
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| Superb observation of the stages of life, Rose. Thank you. Love and peace. Regis |
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| Reviewed by Tinka Boukes |
11/27/2004 |
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Stop the clock...stop the blub!!
Love Tinka
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| Reviewed by J. Allen Wilson |
11/26/2004 |
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Superb thoughts and outline of the aging of mankind. What I noticed the most in this, was that the soul, the inward man...well, it never aged. For at 95, we were still stealing moments. Wonderful write Rose.
Allen |
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| Reviewed by George Carroll |
11/26/2004 |
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| An agless meandering for all to peruse and ponder. |
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| Reviewed by Ed Matlack |
11/26/2004 |
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| A thoughtful write, Rose, one that I don't want to think of, but then again am unable to not think about it...if that makes any sense...Peace thru a good life, Ed & Rufuz |
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| Reviewed by jude forese |
11/26/2004 |
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| an observation for the ages ... |
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| Reviewed by Andy Turner (Reader) |
11/26/2004 |
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| Just rewind that clock... |
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| Reviewed by Michael Charles Messineo |
11/26/2004 |
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ROse, Today is the day to make memories for tomorrow. The clock is always ticking. You don't want to look back on life and wonder... what if... Embrace the magic of life and take a piece with you.
...Michael |
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