All Curled Up

All Curled Up, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

For this feline, comfort comes first. He knows that a seat vacated is always warm, so my office chair was the perfect spot to curl up.

I have taken to warming up a "magic bag" for him. He cuddles onto it, his body hit keeping the bag warm much longer. Spoiled cat? You bet - but he is a senior - homing in on 16, so a little heat must feel good on the old joints, though he is still quite spry.

This is my 1001st post - 1001 stories like Arabian Nights - but my stories will go on.

May 21/10: Time's Up

May 22/10: Time's Up, originally uploaded by susanvg.

There is beauty even in the end of a flower's time to bloom. These tulips, ready to shed their petals, have created interesting sculptures. Our society worships the beauty of youth, but an older person's face carries the beauty of a life well-lived - the story is etched on the skin. I do not understand those who have plastic surgery to erase these tales - the years of laughter and of sorrow. Some faces become almost expressionless. I have earned whatever tracks and sags my age has wrought. I plan to age with a flourish come what may just as these tulips have.

Feb 17/10: Dry Flowers

Feb 17/10: Dry Flowers, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Fragile
The flowers bereft of colour
Dry and crumble
In the winter cold
I walk to the nursing home
Fragile
The woman who sits
day after day in a wheelchair
Nearly 102
Wondering where her mother is
Fragile
I see her disintegrate
Body and mind
Fragile
Handle with care.

Day 212: Foggy

Day 212: Foggy, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Foggy, my Toronto sister-in-law and brother-in-law's cat (this is a very flattering shot of her) is getting on in years. Like many of her human counterparts, she has added girth as she aged, has her share of aches and pains and indulges in a daily dose of painkillers to keep limber. She lumbers down the hall a couple of times a day to eat, but otherwise spends most of her day sleeping. A strategically placed stool helps her attain her goal of the bed. Foggy reigns over her territory like a queen, looking down on those who are visiting her realm. Once feisty, she is now just haughty, allowing the interlopers to visit, but keeping her distance and her pride.

Day 35: Old Hands

Day 35: Old Hands, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Old hands - they have lived 100 years - performing the myriad of tasks hands do. And now they feel purposeless with no future. I sat with my late husband's mother today and listened to her. At times she spoke with incredible clarity - of feeling that emptiness of nothing to look forward to. At times she drifted into the timelessness of old age, blurring the past and the present.

These hands have washed babies, cooked meals, held cards and caressed. They have scolded, steered a car, selected items while shopping and counted out money. And now they sit idle - except for the wringing of despair as confusion washes over their owner.

As I age will I still be able to focus on moments? Will I be able to find the positives that are left to me as my life diminishes? Perhaps that is what this exercise is all about - learning to live in the slower lane, so when complexity is no longer a choice, I'll be able to live in now.