Old is gold...not always!

There is a saying, "Old is Gold". Life gets a golden touch of wisdom when it passes through a long period of time and the many ups and downs of experiences. Though in old age, everything does not always look very golden. Failing health and loneliness often catch up and demoralize the spirit of elderly people. In my life I also could not escape from these problems. When my children went away to U.S.A for higher studies, when my husband passed away, I also felt. very lonely. I tried to bring some purpose in life. I started doing some social work in an orphanage, also published my husband's unfinished book, and traveled a lot and so on. Now when I look back to my younger days, I laugh at my own immature ways. I thought old age comes to others, but will never haunt me. Every day I looked at the mirror, but did not know, when and how old age crept in like a silent thief, and captured the fort of my whole existence. I became slower in movements. I was alarmed when I first noticed a few gray hairs on my head. Now my whole head looks like a white snow ball, and I feel quite happy about it. I realized old age must be accepted gracefully. Luckily I have few good friends with whom I can spend hours playing scrabble, or discussing politics. Sometimes we plan to go to nurseries to pick up some exotic plants for my garden. Often I compare life with a river. Making a gurgling sound, the river flows down from the mountain top, and dances in the sunlight. But before it ends its journey by being one with the ocean, it nourishes all life on its two sides. It makes the land of its two sides fertile for habitation. Human life is also the same. When it proceeds towards old age, it becomes wiser, calmer, tolerant and forgiving. But sometimes suddenly like a tsunami, hard winds blow, and shatter the raft of our life into pieces. At the age of 81, I also experienced such a blow in my life. Last year , when I was happily touring in America, I suddenly fell ill, andwas admitted in an I.C.U at a hospital. I was treated well, but my illness shattered my confidence, and took away joy from my life. I came back to India, got wonderful medical treatment, and loving support from my relatives and dear friends, but I never lost my faith in God, and tried my best to come out from that dark period of my life. After a year of sincere effort, I could get back to my normal self. I became confident, and joyfully embraced life again. There is a saying, that every dark cloud has a silver lining. It is so true. I know sufferings come to teach us something. If we can learn that lesson, we become richer in mind. We never know, when and how our life will take a turn. We can only surrender, and pray to God to guide us in right direction I feel every moment is so very precious to me now. I have no right to be gloomy or sad in any situation. I try to share my joy, my knowledge and prosperity with others who are not so fortunate. That gives me enormous joy. I realize, life is to give, not to take.