Growing Older and Nearing Home

When I hit my 40s, I won't deny that there are times that I feel nervous or scared because it seems that I am nearing my senior year. I can't help but ask, do I still have more time to do what I want in life? Do I still have more energy to travel? Can I still eat the food that I love? Am I physically, emotionally, financially, and spiritually prepared for my retirement years?

Speaking of growing older and nearing home, I would like to share the movie that I recently watched and a book that I've read about nearing home. 

A Man Called Otto 

Just this week, we watched "A Man Called Otto", it is a film adaptation of “A Man Called Ove” novel. This is a comedy-drama film starring Tom Hanks. He played Otto Anderson; a 63-year-old widower and retired man who lives in suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After his retirement, he felt that he no longer has a purpose in life so he planned to end his own life but his attempts were always interrupted by his neighbors. 

This movie shows the struggles, challenges, or problems that we may face as we grow older. When that time comes, do we feel useless? Ineffective? Bored? Depressed? Whatever we feel, it is not a reason to feel hopeless, and let us remind ourselves that “God has a reason why we are still alive” 

Billy Graham Nearing Home 

Two years ago, I’ve read the book “Billy Graham Nearing Home” and according to his book, the best way to meet the challenges of old age is to prepare for them now, before they arrive. He said that growing older was not something to be denied or dreaded; it was to be embraced as part of God’s plan for our lives.

I always pray that I will reach old age because I have so many things that I want to do, so many places I want to visit and of course, I want to see my future grandchildren. I just hope that when I am old, I won’t be a grumpy old woman.

I will share my Top 11 quotes from Billy Graham Nearing Home book. 

“The gift of old age is remembrance” 

“Enjoy life - it has an expiration date” 

“We should never get too old to learn or too old to smile” 

“As long as we are still breathing, we are leading the way” 

“Retirement should not put us on the shelf. We should use this time in our lives to rest from our labors but lift up others who are carrying heavy loads” 

“Loneliness, loss of purpose, depression, feelings of worthlessness, anxiety, fear of the future - there and a host of other emotions are common among retirees” 

“Look for the Lord’s purpose in every circumstance and in every face or voice you encounter daily, for the time He has given you is not without purpose” 

“Retirement isn’t something that just happens if you live long enough, and it isn’t even a reward for your years of hard work; it is a gift from God” 

“One day you may not be able to do everything you once did or everything you would like to do. Instead of feeling guilty or frustrated or resentful, however, thank God that you can still do some things - and make it your goal to do them faithfully and do them well” 

“Life is seldom easy as we grow older - but old age has its special joys - the joy of time with family and friends, the joy of freedom from responsibilities we once had, and the joy of savoring the little things we once overlooked”

"People either seem to get better or to get bitter as they grow older"