I found this quite a challenge.
Milestones are things we are expected to meet I think, like a baby’s first steps, first words that sort of thing. When we don’t meet those milestones, people worry about us. But when you are older, I wonder what the milestones are meant to be? Death? Illness? Decline?
Life does move at a hectic pace, and we are told we need to keep abreast of it if we are to live in the modern world. Time does fly by and not always because we are having fun.
I think as I get older I am more and more aware of the passing of time. Even thinking back to last Friday where I was in the hospital having a procedure to my feet done. I was understandably nervous about it all. But suddenly its Sunday down here and Friday is in the past, and I wonder what’s ahead rather than what’s behind me.
I made a choice in life not to move ‘quickly’. In my work situation, I could have tried to gain promotion, move up the ladder, be like a mate of mine who trampled over anyone who stood in his way to the top.
But that wasn’t for me. My killer instinct was only found on the sporting field and only then in a very mild mannered way.
Today I think about being able to go for a walk in a relatively pain-free way. Previously my walks were at a slow pace, and at times I thought even the snails would zoom past me as I wandered along.
When I look at the prompt, I think about that old saying of being able to stop and smell the roses. There’s so much to say for that.
Today as older age comes my way I can stop and think more about things, appreciate and be more informed having the time to take in things.
Maybe that’s what wisdom is, the ability in older age to see bigger pictures and understand more the ways things are. One would like to think so. As it is time seems to speed up as you age, I have to stop and remind myself of the age I will be this year, and that’s scary in itself, but there is nothing I can do about it, but enjoy each day as best I can, slowly rather than in a rush!!
Written for: https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2018/03/16/reenas-exploration-challenge-week-28/
Morpethroad 
hope your feet heal well Michael, yes more time and reflection to understand the bigger picture does help 🙂
Thanks Kate they are improving
that’s the important thing, I had major spinal surgery decades ago, doctors said I’d never walk again … well I dragged that left leg around lame for 12 years … now I walk comfortably so nobody notices! Wheelchair was not an option for me.
Good for you Kate, love your determination.
what I’m trying to say is don’t give up, persist and it will come good eventually.
Reblogged this on Reena Saxena.
A detailed account of the aging process. Slowing down is a part of it. A younger person has to make deliberate efforts to inculcate slowness. I like the honesty that reflects in your writing.
Thanks for being a regular participant!
My pleasure Reena, I look forward to each challenge, because they are just that, challenges for me.
Having recently become a Septuagenarian, I know all about stopping to smell the roses – usually because I can’t walk fast enough to ignore them. Any day you wake up – regardless of pain that necessitates a knee replacement – is a good day. As Freddy the frog would say, “Isn’t time fun when you’re having flies.” 😉
Hope the tootsies are soon up and dancing, Michael.
Thanks Lyn, I am improving slowly, I removed the bandages as its too hot to have them on, feel much better now. It only hurts to walk.
I guess a skateboard wouldn’t be much help either. Just rest and only move when you have to. Yeah, it only hurts to walk. LOL I know all about that one my friend
Thanks Lyn doing my best
As I will enter a new decade in a few days your last sentence resonates with me. It does seem time is moving faster but maybe that is because I move so much more slowly these days.
Yes there is that, I used to do walks based on how far I could get in a certain time, nowadays it’s more a matter of just getting out there going anywhere and I’m happy.
😺
I’m glad you’re on the mend, Michael, and I love the honesty you reflect in your post. Life is full of challenges and always will be, no matter what age we are. We learn from those challenges and move on to the next one. IMO, it’s not the number of years that are now behind me but the quality of the years that are ahead of me.
That’s precisely it Eugenia, the quality ahead is so important.