My dear Carole,

How well I understand.


But with aging comes experience and a modicum of wisdom.

I have a beautiful 1971 Volkswagen Super Beatle, fully restored to better-than-new. It gets babied attention from my mechanic-doctor. I use its rooftop luggage rack to haul around my bright red canoe to the many lakes nearby. What a joy. Still, I know it will not last forever. And neither will I. The difference is that, eventually, it will end up in a junkheap somewhere while I enjoy the rich reward of a football player reaching the endzone and scoring a big one, knowing that God has bigger plans for me later when my time on earth is over.

I believe that God has a plan for each of us. Life is a gift from God, and how can I judge his present until its fully unwrapped?
In the meantime, I've been blessed to have spent sixty years with the Love-of-my-life. Sometime, one of us will leave the other behind for awhile to be alone as a man or woman of a certain age.

But let me assure you that our senior years can be a treasure. I'm enjoying life now more than ever before. I wouldn't trade this time for anything in the world. And I wasn't born old. I had to earn it year by year. And at seventy-four, I'm not shy or embarrassed to express myself openly. That, in itself, is a gift.

I've read many of your postings, Carole, and I say without fear of contradiction that your work reflects a value and maturity and depth that were not always yours to share. You are a real talent! And now, being "of a certain age," you are most definitely coming into your own. This is your hour. And the best is yet to come!

Keep sharing with us, Carole. Your work is wonderful!

Love,
Richard

You write so well the verses of a woman who finds wisdom with the view of age and past...a very nicely written expression of the heart...


enjoyed this read of your thoughts.....Art Sun...

Thank you for sharing the wisdom within your verses, Carole. I find the ending particularly inspiring. Love and peace to you,

Regis

Wow, this reminds me of menopause. Deep and full to the brim with raw emotion. Nicely done!

Profound in its powerful insights and beautiful in its thickly embroidered wisdom.
Aberjhani

Carole
This is an outstanding profound wtite full of wisdom
As for talent you had it before, now and till eternity
Peace be with you

Well Penned
Love & Peace

Thoughtful and deep, Carole. Mortality is surging upon me in ever-increasing waves these days. I can relate to your pondering the depths here and encouraged by your equilibrium and balanced findings. And yet we know, too, that no man or woman is an island after all... TY K xx

If you have your health, aging is just another ladder in life that we must climb to find our way home in heaven above. Nicely done Carole.

One to really lament upon..

A fine philosophical insight Carole into the multi-faceted complexities and challenges of aging. Be well!

Light and Wisdom ...
Richard Lloyd Cederberg

This is a bittersweet look at aging, Carole -- well done. I can certainly relate to it!
Love,
CJ

Okay with this one I can relate being that woman of you know what...lol!!

Love Tinka

She should declare her talent now
while she still could

Your poetry declares you are doing so.
Rusty

We are all islands, even in a crowd. We must fend for ourselves. We are responsible for our own actions not those of others. A well expressed poem. Victor

Carole - Your pen tells the reader how sincere and knowing are your thoughts on entering and living with the 'older' years. From your photo on the site, however, you certainly DON'T appear to be at an age of concern. Then again, as you've written, we do have all of those doubts and pin pricks needling us from the moment that some jerk refers to us as being, 'Middle aged."

Your poem is outstanding; one that is terse, but gently written, and even, hopeful. Kudos! - Bill