Yesterday I had a brainstorm for a new post as I listened to my friend tell about her bad back. I was laughing as she told me she had to get a new raised seat for her toilet with handles on the side to help her get on and off. Being older then her and been through some serious surgeries in the past couple of years I could identify with her. So, I said, do you have one of those pill boxes? Of course, she said, I have one pill I can't seem to remember to take without a pill box.
By that time my mind was running backwards to our visit with my daughter who is 43 and work circles around me. We ran somewhere almost every day so I got pretty wore out and so did she, but there is a difference in a 74 women being worn out and a 44 women being worn out. She snap back and ready to run the next day, I, on the other hand needed a day to rest before we did our next run.
Our daughter also has a pill box but it only has a couple of pills in it but our 39 year old son does not have a pill box. Somewhere between those two ages of 39 and 43 is when I bought my first pill container.
Slowly but surely as I aged I added more meds which meant a larger pill box, and if I remember right I wore my first back brace, insoles in my shoes for the back, and those dreaded elastic stocking for circulations in my 50s. Then came artificial lenses in my eyes to replace eye glasses. false teeth to replace bad teeth and a couple of minor surgeries.
Even more quickly in my late 60's came a couple of major surgeries which meant my bigger pill box was getting fuller. I graduated from using a cane and wheelchair to a brand new knee which set off the alarm at the airport security that I could at least walk through.
There is something encouraging and discouraging to be with women close to my age for we never run out of things to talk about as we compare what's new in our health. It takes, on purpose, finding something more exciting to talk about then our ailments to get us out of the discouraging aging part.
Gradually we get around to talking about last week sermon and what we gleamed from it. We put our pillbox talk aside and it's not long we are back to being encouraged in the Lord and finding the power to rise above all that aging brings. We start to use the wisdom learned from years of being in the Word, walking with the Creator of the universe and by the time we have ended our day we go back home encouraged.
Just as a hammer and high heat are used to forge instruments of iron, God uses trials to develop genuine faith and strength of character in us.
1 Peter 1:6-7
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Isn't that where contentment come from. Being grateful to have lived a full life, not a perfect life but a full one. At 74 I have no need for anymore adventure, I don't yearn for much anymore except to be near our children and grandchildren. Despite our age we are not ready to retire from our ministry. God is still using us. In about an hour we meet up with single gal home from Indonesia, we are excited to hear how her journey is going. Our health has ended our serving overseas but here in American there is a pill box in every store just waiting to be filled up with meds to help us stay serving him in an active way.
How many of you use a pill box?
I have only one pill I take (at this time). I prefer to keep it that way. Jo has a pill box and has for years. Jo knows I want to stay active and serving until I can go no more or until I breathe my last breath. I hope it is the latter.
ReplyDeleteStaying active was a huge thing for me until we moved up in norther mn. Not only did my health begin to decline but the winters along with Covid render not much activity from me. I am slowly getting back into exercise. Now that places are opening up I am hoping the indoor pools will do so also. Love water exercise. Ace and I both feel the same way about staying active and serving till our last breathe. Blessings Bill.
DeleteDanny has a pill box, but I haven't evolved that far yet, Betty. Yes, aging can be so difficult, and like I say, it's not for sissies, but we can do so gracefully, knowing our life's journey is in the hands of our Lord.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
I have been dwelling on aging gracefully lately. It's my heart cry. Thanks for the encouragement Martha.
DeleteMissionaries, as you know Betty, have a special place in my heart. And that is where you are. I'm sorry for all the health issues you have had thus the need for the ingenious pill box. A friend went Home this morning. He was in ill health most of his adult life. No more pill boxes for him! His Homegoing was beautiful. He was longing to be with Jesus. Our pillboxes are only for a season. That is something we need to remember. Soon, and very soon, we will be with Him. In perfect health. I love you, Betty.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, yes our pill boxes are only for a season, thanks for the encouraging thoughts. Always you cheer my heart...
DeleteI don't have one but I should consider using one. I have to take three times a day and one at bed time. I have a My Therapy Pill reminder app to help me remember to take my medicine.
ReplyDeleteThat should say I have a pill I have to take. Its early and I haven't had coffee yet.
DeleteYou made me laugh Regina, I do not function well early in the morning without my tea. Blessings.
DeleteI love this post, Betty. I'm 58 (I had to do the math, ha), and I've used a pillbox for a few years to keep up with my calcium, iron, and fiber tablets. ;) It may have a stigma attached, but it sure does make life easier to know what I've taken and what I haven't. I also relate to when you said you need that day in between. When we keep our grandkids for the weekend, we are worn out on Monday morning. It takes us a few days to bounce back.
ReplyDeleteI think I was in my early 50's when I first started taking more then one med a day. first it was for blood pressure the high fats then for my fibromyaligia pain and on it goes. I am eternally grateful for meds because I would not be here with out them. Women use to die in their middle and late 30's. We now live longer then most men and it's because of good meds. My husband and I are totally wore out after watching our son children, 3 that are 12 and under. But we still want to do it and we have learned ways to make it easier on us, order pizza so I don't have to cook and clean up. Wear the out on the outside and then give them a good doggy movie and they will fall asleep without a problem after they have had a nightly ice cream. Thats a grand parent right, movies and ice cream, even if there is school the next day, not at grand parents house. Our rule is spoil, spoil, spoil unless they talk back, complain or throw a fit, ice cream goes back into freezer. See we older ones know how to do this. Thanks Lisa for commenting.
ReplyDeleteBetty, I've honestly found the 'aging process' a bit daunting ... and I read your wisdom and know that God continues to have good things in store and opportunities for us even as the years go by. He is still using my mom to minister His lovingkindness at age 91 in a care facility.
ReplyDeleteHe's not done yet, is He ...
Yep, there are days aging is a, "bit daunting and then there are days I just throw up my hands and say, ok God, I give up" and eat some chocolate and veg out". It usually works like this, work hard one day, rest the next and maybe the next too then get back up and work some more. I was struggling a little with lack of strength then Covid hit and I have not felt good strength day one. I go to bed tired, get up tired, deal with weak and tired all day. The doctor told me most older ones who have had Covid say the same thing. I use to joke about the doctors using the phrase, "well Betty, you are over 70 now". Not joking now. I applaud your mother, 90's. Since I do not know what 90's feel like she gives me courage to not give up. I am praying for a, "second wind", one that lingers for a while. You are an encouragement Linda. Thanks for reminded me again God is not through with us yet. I know, believe it, walk in it daily but as for feeling it, nope, walking by faith. Blessings.
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