This is my test post... I have come to realize the joy of youth as I watch my children and grand children. My children have moved away from thinking they are invincible and now realize care is required for their own health, but they are still willing and able to live an active and adventuresome life with their children and niece and nephew. My grand children remind me of the days when everything and anything was possible. "Jump off the porch? Sure it's only ten feet to the sidewalk! I'm Buzz Lightyear, and when I grow up I'll fly into space to save the world."
The grandchildren remind me that life is not to be feared but to be lived. As I grow older I realize the likelihood that I will not be here for some of the happy events of my grand children's lives -- graduations, marriages, their children. While that may sound maudlin, I am merely being realistic. It teaches me to live in the moments I share with them and all the people I love and cherish. There are past events I wish I had handled differently, but I don't think I would change them because it would markedly change who I am. I am the product of all my choices and how I chose to respond to the choices of others. Overall, I am content with my life. All of the pains: mental, emotional, or physical; and all the joys:wife children, and grand children have shaped my outlook on my life. The joys, by far, exceed the pains. Even the pains have been joy as I have survived illnesses that took others. I believe I was left here to help others. I feel that I have done that and am doing it. That belief keeps me going--helping others.


Just saying...