Jewish musings, Tuesday, Sept. 3

[gazelle18]

What’s on your mind — how to make kugel? This week’s Torah reading? Life goals? Prayer? We are all engaged in weight loss/weight maintenance journeys and we are all Jewish or at least interested in Judaism. We like to eat, we like to discuss. It is our goal here to provide each other support on our journeys, to share experiences, to call on our rich cultural heritage and texts, and to help each other grow spiritually.

Some of us take weekly turns starting the thread:
Frieda (hopefully)?
Holly
Lee
Louise
Lynne
Peachy

And for those of you that stop by to read this thread without posting — you are welcome to, but you are also welcome to chime in. Don’t be shy!

[gazelle18]

One thing that is happening in my life is that I know several people who are my age who have recently developed really bad health issues. For example, there are about 5 people I can think of who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Others are facing cancer, Parkinson’s, or other serious ailments. My DH often reminds me that we have to “enjoy every day.”

I recently saw this from Oprah Winfrey, who recently turned 70:
“There is a sense of knowing that there isn’t as much time left and I am at peace with that knowing. There’s a sense of urgency for me about living well.”

This statement seems to be self contradictory, but I relate nonetheless. What are your thoughts about this statement?

[hollygail]

I thought the second flowed well from the first. There isn't a lot of time left; I'm okay with that, and I recognize that I want to make the best of what's left" is how I read it.

I would love to feel that I'm making the best of what's left. It seems to me that I'm doing what I've done most of my life: live each day the way I lived yesterday. Just keep plugging away at life. Maybe I should rethink that entire concept...

Part of me is concerned about DH's health, and I suspect that's what's keeping me in this place of continuity, not actually making changes. I don't want that to be an excuse. But I'm feeling a little in limbo until the results of his cognitive testing are ready. He started the process a little more than a week ago, and I have no idea how long it will take to complete. He's already made an appointment for hearing aids (barely one day after denying 100% that he needed any), so there's that one positive sign. I'm looking for additional ones...

[louise]

I can relate also. I guess there is a contradiction in knowing our days are finite and being at peace with that. Our days being finite is an observation and the urgency about living well is an action in response to it. Knowing our days are numbered makes each day more precious. I am very aware that anything could hapen to me at any time - I sometimes feel I am actually on borrowed time because my health has been good. It definitely scares me. Do I heed the callng to live well? Not so much...

[lee058]

Good afternoon everybody. Hope you are all well and SAFE! Please pray for Israel.

Re today's topic: I have been dealing with health issues for a long time, and am always conscious that they could be worse. As a result, I try to make the best of things and live life as well as I can. I try to let go of negative thinking and not perform negative actions. I cope with things that bother me the best that I can.

I don't always succeed, but I also try not to brood or hang onto thoughts that make me (or others) feel bad about myself (themselves). I certainly do try to not say things that will drag people down, even when I feel angry.

I agree that it seems like more and more people I know are dealing with health issues. I try to emotionally support people as best I can, with conversation, phone calls, and/or emails. I want people to know that I care about them, especially during difficult times. You never know when saying or doing something to help someone will really do so!!

I could get into a whole conversation about how more than half my life is over, but I try to stay away from thinking about that.

At any rate, I try to focus on good things and to share them as much as I can.

Have a peaceful rest of the day, Lee

[peachymom1]

For many years, I just prayed that I would live long enough to see my children grow up. Not only have I been granted that wish, I also have lived long enough to see all of them graduate from college, one with a Ph.D, and have had the tremendous privilege of seeing two of them married. Not just married, but married to AWESOME WOMEN!

Like Lee, I am grateful things haven't been worse. I've had conditions that were fixable or treatable or manageable. My dad died of Alzheimer's, but he made it to 81. My mom died of a heart attack after surviving lung cancer, but she made it to 86. I'm lucky to have all three of my sisters still living, in addition to DH and our kids. I thank God every day for that.

I am at peace with my portion. But I plan to keep enjoying life as much as I can, and to help others enjoy life too. And I plan to be there when people need my comfort or just my presence. Showing up is a big part of community and friendship, IMO.