Write Team: Don’t wish away your youth, or your senior years

It is good to finally get back to the Write Team.

I return with at least two fewer fans, as they have died. Honestly, it is a little hollow since my biggest fan: my sister-in-law (Joann Taylor) will not be reading my columns. At least I know that her close friend, Sandy will be reading them, even if Joann will not be telling me how much they both liked them.

So often when we are younger, we spend time wishing we were older. I remember those days when I did that. See, I’m not so old that my memory is totally gone. We can’t wait to go to school as we watch our older siblings leave in the morning. Later, we wish for the days when we go out on dates. Later we wish to rush high school, getting a driver’s license, graduation, marriage and/or college. To those youth (even though they probably will not read this column) I suggest instead enjoy the things you can do now. More than likely, there will come a time when you will not be able to enjoy all the same things as now.

I would also say enjoy being with the people who are alive now, since some will not be around later in your life. Listen carefully to the stories that people want to tell you, especially your older relatives.

Recently my nephew asked me about a story in our ancestry, that his father was no longer around to tell him. He had heard from his father, but did not remember all of it. I knew what he asked about, but had forgotten some details, and my Aunt Mildred was no longer around to ask, like I had many years ago.

To those of you who are reading this column; let me address what is more likely to apply to you. That would be not wishing away your senior years. One way to do this is not living now, but wishing for retirement.

Now, more people are going beyond wishing and going ahead with early retirement. If set up right, what a deal! Getting paid for not working. My wife and I both fit into this category, as our employers had plans allowing us to retire before the usual retirement age.

Part of retirement’s lure could be travel, and doing it whenever you want to. You might want to reduce your travel plans and go while you have your full health and mobility. This also may include visiting, or just spending time with family. If you have younger grandchildren, you may be wise to increase the time with them now before they get older and have activities that keep them busy and not available. If they are approaching activity-laden years, you might offer to transport them to their activities. This hauling them could be causing stress on their parents.

In summary, live life, don’t wish it away.

• Rodney Verdine is retired as the assistant director at the La Salle County Detention Home, but also had been a probation officer. He can be reached at newsroom@mywebtimes.com