Anonymous wrote:I feel you, OP--I'm right there with you.

We try to do all the right things--do well in school, go to college, get a decent job, get married, get a house, have kids, and raise them to be good human beings.

But while we're busy making a life for ourselves and helping our kids, our moms' and dads' lives were quietly slipping away.

Well, those moms and dads we left at the house back then is where we find ourselves today. The kids are moving on. Our careers are winding down. The state of our parents--if they're even still around--is depressing. And, for us? We get to hear about yet another health concern from our doctor at every annual check up.

I'll offer this, OP. I'm a 57yo Black man. It's no secret that Black males in the U.S. have the lowest life expectancy of any major demographic group. I can't ignore that. But in the last few years, I kind of feel like I've figured out how to "slow life down" for me.

I pause-out of the blue--a lot. I just stop and really take in the moment. Doesn't even have to be anything special going on. I look at faces. I listen to voices.

When I eat, I try to really think about the taste of the food. Where it came from. I think about the plant or the animal. And I'm thankful for it.

I take more pictures of ordinary moments. It might be of me and the family eating sandwiches. The dogs sleeping together. DW reading. Or, the sky.

I say I love you. Often. And I try to get in more hugs.

I know. None of this is particularly genius. But these things have helped me be more present and to try to live with deeper intention. To take it all in--with an appreciation that I am here to witness it all. Helen Keller wrote a profound essay in 1933, "Three Days to See". I read it every couple of years to remind myself that while my time is indeed limited, I'm gonna try to "suck the marrow out of life" while I'm here.

Good luck, OP. You are not alone.

Anonymous wrote:I feel you, OP--I'm right there with you.

We try to do all the right things--do well in school, go to college, get a decent job, get married, get a house, have kids, and raise them to be good human beings.

But while we're busy making a life for ourselves and helping our kids, our moms' and dads' lives were quietly slipping away.

Well, those moms and dads we left at the house back then is where we find ourselves today. The kids are moving on. Our careers are winding down. The state of our parents--if they're even still around--is depressing. And, for us? We get to hear about yet another health concern from our doctor at every annual check up.

I'll offer this, OP. I'm a 57yo Black man. It's no secret that Black males in the U.S. have the lowest life expectancy of any major demographic group. I can't ignore that. But in the last few years, I kind of feel like I've figured out how to "slow life down" for me.

I pause-out of the blue--a lot. I just stop and really take in the moment. Doesn't even have to be anything special going on. I look at faces. I listen to voices.

When I eat, I try to really think about the taste of the food. Where it came from. I think about the plant or the animal. And I'm thankful for it.

I take more pictures of ordinary moments. It might be of me and the family eating sandwiches. The dogs sleeping together. DW reading. Or, the sky.

I say I love you. Often. And I try to get in more hugs.

I know. None of this is particularly genius. But these things have helped me be more present and to try to live with deeper intention. To take it all in--with an appreciation that I am here to witness it all. Helen Keller wrote a profound essay in 1933, "Three Days to See". I read it every couple of years to remind myself that while my time is indeed limited, I'm gonna try to "suck the marrow out of life" while I'm here.

Good luck, OP. You are not alone.

Anonymous wrote:I feel you, OP--I'm right there with you.

We try to do all the right things--do well in school, go to college, get a decent job, get married, get a house, have kids, and raise them to be good human beings.

But while we're busy making a life for ourselves and helping our kids, our moms' and dads' lives were quietly slipping away.

Well, those moms and dads we left at the house back then is where we find ourselves today. The kids are moving on. Our careers are winding down. The state of our parents--if they're even still around--is depressing. And, for us? We get to hear about yet another health concern from our doctor at every annual check up.

I'll offer this, OP. I'm a 57yo Black man. It's no secret that Black males in the U.S. have the lowest life expectancy of any major demographic group. I can't ignore that. But in the last few years, I kind of feel like I've figured out how to "slow life down" for me.

I pause-out of the blue--a lot. I just stop and really take in the moment. Doesn't even have to be anything special going on. I look at faces. I listen to voices.

When I eat, I try to really think about the taste of the food. Where it came from. I think about the plant or the animal. And I'm thankful for it.

I take more pictures of ordinary moments. It might be of me and the family eating sandwiches. The dogs sleeping together. DW reading. Or, the sky.

I say I love you. Often. And I try to get in more hugs.

I know. None of this is particularly genius. But these things have helped me be more present and to try to live with deeper intention. To take it all in--with an appreciation that I am here to witness it all. Helen Keller wrote a profound essay in 1933, "Three Days to See". I read it every couple of years to remind myself that while my time is indeed limited, I'm gonna try to "suck the marrow out of life" while I'm here.

Good luck, OP. You are not alone.

Anonymous wrote:Geez, you all need to crack open a bottle of wine and relax. Nothing you can do about your age - just try to enjoy your life and loved ones while you are here. That's all any of us can do.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m the same age, OP, and I’m basically ready to die right now. Trump has ruined everything, and I just don’t want to be here anymore. I feel sad that I might not see any grandchildren, but at this point I’m so sad about our situation and do angry at Trump that I just would prefer to die.

You are mentally ill. Please seek help.

Anonymous wrote:I’m the same age, OP, and I’m basically ready to die right now. Trump has ruined everything, and I just don’t want to be here anymore. I feel sad that I might not see any grandchildren, but at this point I’m so sad about our situation and do angry at Trump that I just would prefer to die.