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Archive for the ‘Aging Gracefully’ Category

Dec.10 Word of the Day

Using the Advent devotional from @SanctifiedArt,
I am posting the Word of the Day between now and Christmas.
These are “Words for the Beginning”
– beginning again
– looking forward to the coming of the Christ Child
– finding daily inspiration

Today’s word is:

That’s the image AI generated
when I gave the word to
Artificial Intelligence.

If I go to my WordPress photos,
here is the one I would select:

When I think of the word “journey,”
I think of this life I am living…
and I realize it is a journey
of major proportions.
One worth savoring.

To savor this life’s journey,
We must slow down.
To get the most of of it,
Wipe away your frown.

Travel each day with a smile,
With positive expectations.
Open your heart and your hands
To all God’s glorious creations.

Journey with your loved ones.
Embrace every endeavor.
Travel with the assurance that
Every step is sure and clever.

Don’t try to go it alone.
We’re all in this together.
Journey with a song in your heart
And dance in every kind of weather.

What images might you imagine for each of these words of the day?
Words of the Day:
Dec. 1- Begin
Dec. 2 – Bless
Dec. 3 – Courage
Dec. 4 – Possibility
Dec. 5 – Remember
Dec. 6 – Marvel
Dec. 7 – Go
Dec. 8 – Together
Dec. 9 – Embrace
Dec. 10 – Journey

woman standing on green grass
“Journey” Photo by Krivec Ales on Pexels.com

No, don’t go it alone!
See ya tomorrow for Dec. 11th Word of the Day.

Love,
JanBeek

(That’s Lorei with me!
She was my first grade student in 1961!!
Stay in touch!!! You’re not alone.)

Prioritize

Today’s prompt asked me about my #1 priority for tomorrow. Why tomorrow? I need to live today first. Take each day as it comes! Carpe’ Diem!!

Daily writing prompt
What’s your #1 priority tomorrow?

Ann Kaplow posted a blog today on the subject of aging.

Day 4288: Age

In her blog she wrote, “Age is a topic that adults of different ages often talk about in my therapy groups. We have so many preconceptions and judgments about age. For example, women aren’t supposed to share their age. Why not? I’m proud that I’ve reached the age of 71.”

She posted many quotes about aging. They got me thinking about that topic and how it relates to today’s prompt. Prioritize tomorrow? What about today? You’re one day older… How do you feel about it?

Do you look in the mirror and count your wrinkles?
Or do you wink at the mirror and thank God for another day?

I commented about aging on Ann’s blog. This is what I wrote:

“Aging is a gift not all humans are given. It’s a privilege to age along side my 85-year-old hubby. I’m only six months behind him. We will celebrate our 63rd anniversary this February (and there were nay-sayers who said it wouldn’t last!). I can honestly say we love one another more now than we did the day we were married. It’s a well worn, comfortable, endearing, respectful love. If you are given the gift of aging, unwrap it, flaunt it, appreciate each day, share your gained wisdom, and thank God for each sunrise-sunset. Life is a gift!”

The Lord promises His continued love and concern for the elderly. “I will be your God throughout your lifetime — until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you (Isaiah 46:4)

Thank God for this new day.
What is your number one priority for today?
Carpe’ Diem!

God bless you!
Love,
JanBeek

Devoted

Happy September 1st to you!
The word for the month is Devoted.
The question for the month is,
“To what or to whom are you devoted?”

Some might answer,
“I am devoted to earning money”
while others might say,
“I’m devoted to spending money…
Put on my gravestone:
Being of sound mind, I spent it all!”

Some are devoted to coffee,
getting their daily dose at Starbucks,
while others are devoted to gardening
or to reading or to raising their families.

What’s your answer?

Some of the things
that capture our devotion
are worth the time and trouble.
Others are not.

“Ezra had devoted himself to
the study and observance of
the Law of the Lord,
and to teaching its decrees
and laws in Israel.”
Ezra 7:10

The word devotion means
“earnest affection for a person or cause.”
It’s a better word than commitment.
We can be committed to a cause
out of sheer duty;
but to be devoted
implies commitment plus affection.

September connotates “Back to School” for me.
As a retired educator, I never tire of teaching.
My children are grown and my grandchildren
are not close by, so my teaching audience has changed.
I am devoted to teaching the seniors in “The Manor.”
It is our local nursing home. The people there are delightful!

Because I am devoted to teaching,
I agree with the commentary I read recently
on the Ezra 7:10 scripture above:
“As our children head back to school,
it’s time for us to don our backpacks
and enroll in the Ezra School of Bible Study –
devoting ourselves to the study and observance
of God’s Word and to teaching it to others.”

The people that garner your devotion
and the causes to which you are devoted
help to define who you are.
The word for September is “Devoted.”
How do you define yours?

Love and Hugs to you from
JanBeek

Oh, So Grateful!

Friends
Family Neighbors
Such helpful folks
Loving compassionate and kind
Grateful

Birthday
Now 85
Starting year 86
Celebrating with great friends
Happiness

Helpers
Barbecuing hamburgers
Helped to setup
Also stayed to cleanup
Angels

Happiness
Beautiful days
Shared with friends
Sadness: these smokey skies
Surviving

Presents
Their presence
In my life
I feel so blessed
Grateful

Jeremiah 29:11
 For I know the plans I have for you,”
declares the LORD,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.”

May your future be bright,
your birthdays be joyous,
and your life be a blessing!
Thank you, Lord, for my friends here
as well as all my blogging friends.

I Love you all,
JanBeek

Notable Things

Each day’s notable
And so it pays to take note
Live life on the edge

Life’s an adventure
Live on “Edge of Adventure”
This day won’t come twice

Daily writing prompt
What notable things happened today?

That’s our ATV
She’s “Lucille” and she’s a “Ball”
Time to let her go

Today we sold her
We found a wonderful home
Know she will be loved

We had lots of fun
With Lucille, TazE, and friends
Hate to see that end

Lucille and TazE
Our previous Boston pup
Were great companions

But, time to let go
Life moves on and so must we
Owen never rode

Our sweet pup we lost
So tragically this last week
Never rode Lucille

Notably we learned
Some things are not meant to be
And so we’ll move on

You move on or die
Do not let yourself get stuck
Life is too precious

Our hearts are healing
Every day the pain lessens
So, take note of that

You are blessed!

What notable thing happened to you today?

Love to you,
JanBeek

Where Ya Lookin’?

Where are you looking?
Let’s forget the former things –
Don’t dwell on the past.

Remember the good,
Learn from all of your troubles,
And focus on the now.

Strength and Grace,
a daily devotional from Guideposts,
is one of my morning rituals.
My last post, “Whatever is Lovely,”
also was inspired by this publication.

Today I am exploring
the subjects of love and memory,
and asking myself,
“Where ya lookin’?”

I am remembering the time
I was lookin’ to the right
when I shoulda been lookin’
straight ahead.
I walked into our car’s hatchback.
It was comin’ down –
and obviously I didn’t realize it!!

I am remembering the time
I was dashing out of the car
to go into a local restaurant
to meet my granddaughter
and her children.
I was looking ahead
when I should have been
looking down … at my feet …
at the curb.
I tripped over it.
Broke my pinky finger big time!

Ouch!
I am remembering the time
I was stepping up into the house
from the garage
and I didn’t step up far enough.
I fell backward and hit my head
on the metal hitch of the trailer.
Eight stitches later
I shoulda been lookin’
where I was steppin’!!

Look up for your purpose!

There’s a time to look up.
There’s a time to look back.
There’s a time to look ahead.
But ALL THE TIME we should
Look out! Look at the NOW.
Live in the present –
And look to live longer,
healthier, happier, safer.

a yellow slow down for wildlife signage
Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

Slow Down for Your Life!
And look where you are going.
Where are you looking?

Photo by Wallace Chuck on Pexels.com

Father, in Your mercy, rescue me
from myself, from my carelessness.
Help me look to You for guidance
and help me slow down,
live in the now,
and watch where I’m goin’!
Amen

Have a blessed day!
Love,
JanBeek

A Champion Still!

This is Hillsdale High School’s winning wrestling team back in the 1970’s.
Bob was the wrestling coach. He also taught in the classroom
(safety education and behind the wheel driver’s education).
Matt Martinelli has ahold of Bob’s right leg.
And our son, Ty, is down there looking up proudly at his dad.
Ty just had his 59th birthday… and Matt is now in his 70s!
Time flies, doesn’t it?

Here’s another of Bob”s former wrestlers from back in the ’70s.
Peter is another who keeps in touch
and lets Bob know that he made a difference in his life.
What a joy it is to maintain those contacts!

Here’s our son, Ty:

Life is worth celebrating!
Even though Matt is in CA (and so is Ty),
and Peter in in Arizona,
we are blessed to stay in touch with them.
They let Bob know that Dad/CoachBeek
is a champion still!
He made a difference in their lives.

Galatians 6:9

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

Making a difference can sometimes be challenging, and it’s easy to grow weary. However, this verse reminds us to persevere in doing good. Even if we don’t see immediate results, God promises that in due time, we will reap the rewards of our efforts. Therefore, we are encouraged to press on and not lose heart in our pursuit of making a difference.

1958

Bob feels badly that he doesn’t have
the strength and stamina that he once had,
but hey… don’t we all have to accept that?
Our bodies change as we age, right?
Bob’s with his brother, Bill, there…
Looking mighty fit, wouldn’t you say?
Both of them are blessed
to be alive and functioning
as “Champions Still” in their
mid-to-late 80’s!!
Not everyone has that privilege, right?

Blessed to be alive!
Blessed to have one another.
Blessed to continue to do good.
Blessed to be a champion still!!

Who’s a “Champion Still” in your life?

Sending love your way,
JanBeek

Need a Chuckle?

Sometimes life just gets too serious.
When I feel like I need a break from that serious stuff,
I tune in to FaceBook… but only the places there that bring me joy.
Here is one of them… try it out! It’s a place for CRANKY OLD LADIES
If clicking on that title didn’t take you there, try this link:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/691523582050399/posts/1125503371985749

Enough for today… Go out and enjoy this gorgeous springtime day!
Love,
JanBeek

One Word

Daily writing prompt
What is one word that describes you?

No way!
No way can
One word describe
Me
or You!

We are waaay more complex than that.
Don’t you agree?

Take a look…
Can you come up with one word?

How about YOU?
A single word?
I doubt it!

Love ya,
JanBeek

My Mission

Today’s WordPress Prompt was:
“What is your mission?”

My mission is to spread God’s love, live in faith, and “bee” an inspiration for others to do likewise!

How about you? What is your mission? You know we each are put in this world for a purpose. Do you know yours? How are you fulfilling it?

Meet with old friends! Today we reconnected with my high school buddy, Monica, and the wife of my senior class sweetheart. Carolyn is fulfilling one of her missions: taking care of Jerry !!
God bless Carolyn & Jerry! Such fun to reconnect with them. Jerry and I had a year of wonderful fun together in 1956-57!!

And Bob reconnected with Monica … with whom he attended Sunday School every week during his childhood. So precious!!

No friends like old friends!!

Our mission is to spread love and joy wherever we go. What a wonderful way to begin this new year of 2024! Our travels in California have been blessed with great weather, family, friends, and Bob’s 85th birthday celebration along the Pacific coast. Such fun!!

Alan & Ingrid with Bob at Monterey Aquarium.

Alan & Ingrid with us at Big Sur.

Then precious time with my brilliant cousin, Adrian, and his wife, Laura.

Life doesn’t get too much better than this!

God bless my birthday boy!
My main mission besides spreading God’s love: take care of this BeeBoy! I’m so blessed to have him in my life all these 65 years!! I pray we have many more.

God bless you!

Have a wonderful week.

Love, JanBeek ❤️