Celebrating Life - June 2016



Connie’s  Corner
Celebrating Life
By Connie Hawkins

I turned 70 in April – the thought of being 70 scares me.  I am definitely going downhill now with the hardest part of my life behind me, right?   Some fear that turning 70 means slowing down.  Others think the time for serving others, family, community, church is over.  Still, for others turning 70, 80 or even 90 brings new challenges, a new zest for life.  I think about Mother Teresa; she never ran out of love or willingness to care for others.  She gave her all to care for the sick, the poor, and the destitute.  At nearly 85 years old and with a weak heart, she was still out there giving, traveling and sharing her love for the Lord.  “That’s because,” said Robert White, “giving nourishes and replenishes the giver.  Taking depletes us and burns us out.”
No matter what birthday we are celebrating we should never be fearful of what the future holds for us.  The Word says, “There is no fear in the perfect love of God.”  So, maybe I should look at turning 70 as not turning another year older but a celebration of the wonderful life I’ve had to date.  Yes, there have been some rough times, learning experiences if you will…sometimes, we live and learn and other times we simply live.  I like to think I have learned something over these 70 years…how to love for example, how to treat people with kindness and respect…how to be the best person I can be.  I hope that when my time on this earth comes to an end my family and friends will remember me as a good mother, friend, sister, mate and grandma!  I like what Ed Wynn said on the exaggerated fears of age: “Take care of the day; let the calendar take care of the years.” So, let the celebration begin!

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