The Final Summers

... in the Winter of life.

Casting a Long Shadow

I am in what, according to North American statistics, is the middle of my life.

And though tomorrow is never promised, if you go with the American life expectancy for men of 76-and-a-half years, at 43, I’m on the back end of that time allotment.

There are some days where I wonder how many of those 43 years were wasted, or could have been better used. But, when those thoughts arise, I remember two things:

One: that I get another chance each day.

And

Two: that the ripples of those previous years will carry on past me even if I don’t get tomorrow.

Both of those reminders help me stay grounded in the present and more comfortable with the future.

I look at my own parents, who will be turning 70 this year, and know that they must think these thoughts often.

They are strong Christians, both. So I know they don’t worry for their souls. But there must still be a persistent consideration of how many summers they have left on this side of life.

In the winter of one’s life, each setting sun means more.

Yet, I’m reminded, when thinking of them… I wouldn’t be here if not for them.

Everything I have and everything I do, even after my parents leave this earth, is a ripple of their lives, no matter how many summers God grants them.

In light of that, I think of my own children.

They don’t look at me as a culmination of my choices.

They don’t weigh how much better their lives could have been when they look at me.

I’m their father.

That’s all that matters.

And I feel the same for my own parents.

Watching them entering their waning years, they stand before the setting sun of their lives… casting a long shadow back across all of the people they’ve touched along the way.

It’s the ripples that carry forward.

And for myself, I consider it a blessing to get even one more day to effect those in my life.

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Thank you all for the continued support,

~ Drew Weatherhead