(Letter to the Editor - Graphic Illustration/MetroCreativeConnection)

I’ve written before about my feeling of importance of family and friends. I’ve shared my fear of aging and thoughts about what COVID-19 did to our society. Many people told my husband and me how they liked reading about us when we were featured in the senior section of this newspaper a few months ago. I have publicly shared many reasons I have to be thankful. Since then I have gotten old, not ancient yet, but old. A year ago I was helping a friend get into the back seat of our van with a step stool. Recently she was the one helping me by holding my hand as I stepped down off of a curb. Things are changing rapidly. I want to share what my life has meant and what I think it should mean after I am gone. My hope is that there is plenty of time to continue what I’m doing right and correct anything that needs changing but as they say, ” We’re not promised tomorrow.”

When I was young I avoided certain situations thinking what I didn’t know would not hurt me. Forty to fifty years later I learned what I kept silent about allowed someone else to be hurt. For some reason that possibility never even occurred to me. I deeply regret not being more knowledgeable to help someone who needed protecting. I wish I’d had more patience when my children were young. Plus there are probably small things I would change in what I’ve said or done at sometime if I think hard enough. Yet most of my life choices have been the right ones and have given me the life I now enjoy with my husband of 52 years.

Before I started writing I had all these ideas how I would share “great wisdom” because I’ve been around for 70 years. I was going to tell you about all the friends we met when we taught line dancing and of how we liked to go ballroom dancing. I had planned to knock you off your feet when I told you about my life changing miracles from God. How after prayer my twisted spine straightened a great deal overnight so I could breath better. I’d tell you how I seem to know when certain friends need a call of encouragement. They tell me how they love me and they are so thankful for my friendship. I especially wanted to share with you how much I love time with my children, whether it be a day trip, going out to eat together, or they just stop by. I am lucky to have grandchildren who like to visit. Sometimes they just come over to play. Even neighborhood children like to visit. I have an angel of a sister and other family who I cherish, too. All of this and more adds up to a blessed life.

So many people around me have such hardships. Situations that I don’t know if I could handle and keep going on the way they do. I admire their courage. I wish I could fix things for them. I can’t. I can be supportive but they are the ones who cope and carry on.

When you are young you live for the future by working hard to pay your bills, raise your children, take care of your pets, and prepare for some day. In the ’70s I had no doubt I would marry the love of my life, become a mother and live happily ever after. Yes, there were a few bumps along the way but without the bumps how can we appreciate the smooth road. Getting old allows time to look back and see if your plans worked out or if your life took an entirely different path. You can count your blessings by the people in your life rather than the possessions you have obtained.

My advice for you is that you live each day to the fullest. Do whatever makes you happy and enriches your life without hurting someone else. What I remember and cherish from the ones who went before me, like my Mom, and what memories I leave behind when I go will make it all worth it. Enjoy your day. Smile and be thankful for another day to be You.

Bonita (Bonnie) Eaton

Vienna