Old Age - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

Gabe · 12-06-2005, 07:34 AM

(Forgive me if this is a re-run. If so, it's worth another read.)

A 92-year -old, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably coifed and shaved perfectly applied, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.
As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.
"I love it," he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.
"Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait."
"That doesn't have anything to do with it," he replied.
"Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged ... it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it "It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.
Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life.
Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in.
So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories! . Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank. I am still depositing." Remember the five simple rules to be
happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred.

2. Free your mind from worries.

3. Live simply.

4. Give more.

5. Expect less.

cwohio · 12-06-2005, 08:06 AM

definitely a re-run i can read over and over! thanks - helps to keep the gratitude as a priority!

PlanoTexican · 12-06-2005, 08:32 AM

I have never read this before. What a great attitude to have. I have been thinking of a new years resolution to make.

I have now found it!

Thanks.

Hopefloats · 12-08-2005, 04:43 AM

A good rerun is a good thing

Plus it helps those that may of missed such a great story. This is SO darn true and I love it!
HOPE

historyteach · 12-08-2005, 04:49 AM

Yes, I've read it before...
Mrs Jones was the protagonist of the story, though...
Either way, a story worth retelling...
Regardless of the gender.
Truth is truth.

Shalom!

equus · 12-08-2005, 05:18 AM

Quote:

1. Free your heart from hatred.

2. Free your mind from worries.

3. Live simply.

4. Give more.

5. Expect less.

Yes. And oh how I struggle with number 2!! All of the other's on good day I can act and feel the happiness coming back but with number 2 I struggle and struggle - maybe my own old age will be my best teacher!!

I loved the story but even more so the simple rules to be happy!

Grimnar · 12-09-2005, 03:58 PM

Good story Gabe!

Funny.... it reminded me of Bob Dole and his struggle to recover from his injurines suffered in WWII.

12-06-2005, 07:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
Gabe Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 4,955	Old Age (Forgive me if this is a re-run. If so, it's worth another read.) A 92-year -old, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably coifed and shaved perfectly applied, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready. As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window. "I love it," he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy. "Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait." "That doesn't have anything to do with it," he replied. "Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged ... it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it "It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life. Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in. So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories! . Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank. I am still depositing." Remember the five simple rules to be happy: 1. Free your heart from hatred. 2. Free your mind from worries. 3. Live simply. 4. Give more. 5. Expect less.

12-06-2005, 08:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
cwohio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Litterbox City Posts: 6,142	definitely a re-run i can read over and over! thanks - helps to keep the gratitude as a priority! __________________ *Learn to write your hurts in sand. Learn to carve your blessings in stone! - Unknown*

12-06-2005, 08:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
PlanoTexican Support our Troops. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Republic Of Texas Posts: 453	I have never read this before. What a great attitude to have. I have been thinking of a new years resolution to make. I have now found it! Thanks. __________________ Doing the right thing, when no one else is looking. -Bob Hook 'em 'Horns

12-08-2005, 04:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
historyteach To Life! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 9,303	Yes, I've read it before... Mrs Jones was the protagonist of the story, though... Either way, a story worth retelling... Regardless of the gender. Truth is truth. Shalom! __________________ IMAGINE

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12-08-2005, 04:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
Hopefloats Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: With Good Spirit Posts: 378	A good rerun is a good thing Plus it helps those that may of missed such a great story. This is SO darn true and I love it! HOPE

12-09-2005, 03:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
Grimnar I bite. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: USA Posts: 498	Good story Gabe! Funny.... it reminded me of Bob Dole and his struggle to recover from his injurines suffered in WWII.

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