History

How many of you have made the statement “ I wish I were young again!”? I know I have, until I stop to remember that being young wasn’t always that much fun. I think the part that I long for is the feeling of being invincible, infallible, and indestructible. I recently read through a list of classmates who have passed away. That was definitely sobering! When I think of the people on that list and bring their picture to my mind’s eye, I see them clearly—as they were in their late teens. As they were when we were still in school. I have proof every morning that I do NOT look like I did in my teens. I know this and yet there are still mornings when I am surprised to see my Mother staring back at me from the mirror. Do I still feel like that teenager? NO! Would I still want to do cartwheels and/or somersaults for any length of time? A resounding NO! But on the other hand, do I feel old? Most days, another resounding NO!

Of course it really doesn’t take much to make me FEEL old! This winter weather is a prime example. I drove to work a week ago Sunday afternoon during the blizzard warning. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO SCARED! There were times when I honestly couldn’t see anything but white, blowing snow. I was VERY nervous about driving home after dark. One of my younger coworkers was talking about driving to Faribault when she got done. I kept telling her to stay in town—her response was “I’ll be fine”! Ahh….youth! So does that make me old? And then the other day I was limping around at work due to my “gracefulness” while making my bed, somehow the bedframe must’ve shifted right into my toe. A 91 year old gentleman came in with a limp, although not quite as pronounced as my limp. He inquired about my uncoordinated gait and I had to confess my total lack of grace the other evening. When I asked him why he was limping he said “I think I might’ve exercised too much”. WOW! I thought to myself “Now THAT’S a statement that has never come out of my mouth!!” It brought to mind the old saying: If I knew I was going to live this long, I would’ve taken better care of myself”.

There are so many things that I’ve come to realize are true, that my youth prevented me from believing. But the one thing that I wish I had realized sooner—was the amount of history I missed out on. Not by ignoring my History lessons in school but by spending time talking with people who had LIVED through what I was suppose to be reading about. Hearing someone actually telling about his days as a prisoner of war during World War II, or going to work in a factory or farm at the age of nine is so much more moving than reading print on some page. So I missed that lesson on taking good care of myself, and how dangerous blizzards can be and too many others but I still have the opportunity to hear some of these historic stories. Not just the monumental stories but ALL the stories: milk for pennies, no shoes except for church, babies being born at home and any other memory that people are willing to share. I am taking advantage of this opportunity, I encourage the rest of you to find some LIVING history and listen to it unfold.

Jane Murakami

Golden Years Planning

(507) 403-3875

www.goldenyearsinfo.com