THREE AGES
"What ! No walk this week ?" Sorry...... No !
For a variety of reasons those who plan and lead our walks are unable to do so this week.
With no walk to report on your writer's thoughts turned to pondering the existence of our Meanderthal group which led to rather nostalgic thoughts.
1. ONCE WE WERE YOUNG
Our memories remain young. As schoolboys and young men life was exciting and joyful. Responsibilities were few. We took to our bikes to explore the country lanes and villages of our area. We climbed the fells to sit and gaze at the world beneath our feet. we wandered through fields and woods discovering the awesome natural world around us. We went camping in wild places waking to the chill of the morning and the sparkle of dew in the grass. We met friends old and new to talk and make sense of the changing world around us. We, almost daily, learned new skills. Life was good and would last forever
2. THEN WE WERE MIDDLE AGED.
Our mindset is also Middle Aged. When we had responsibilities, problems and worries but our bodies were fit and we had experience and wisdom (don't laugh) We knew things and could do things. Challenges were to be faced. problems were to be solved. We lived in a world of constant change but we could deal with and master it. We had skills which people needed and were in the main respected in our communities. Our lives were settled. We knew who we were and where we stood.
3. NOW WE HAVE ARRIVED AT OLD AGE
We are OLD. There's no getting away from it. Our memories are fading, Our skills no longer needed, Our opinions outdated and irrelevant. In our minds however, still linger in our youth and middle age but sadly our bodies don't allow us to relive those memories. Our walks are much shorter. Hills are to be avoided. We carry "Comfortable" collapsible stools in our rucksacks. We no longer discuss cars, children or mortgages but compare pills and medications for our chronic pains or developing ailments (such fun).
So, in our minds. we still have three ages in one. BUT we are STILL walking each week. Not this week though 😕I hear you say.
These thoughts are well summed up in a favourite poem by A E Houseman
Into my heart an air that kills
From yon fair country blows
What are those blue remembered hills
What farms what spires are those
That is the land of lost content
I see it shining plain
The happy highways where I went
and cannot come again.
Aye there's the rub, "and cannot come again". Achingly nostalgic.
I suppose what I am trying to say is that in our minds we are STILL young or middle aged with all of their attendant abilities and hopes. Sadly our weekly walks tell us "No fellas. You're OLD so just enjoy being alive". (The average age of our regular walkers is 78. Most of us are pleasantly surprised to still be alive never mind walking 😃
Life wasn't all shining sunrises and poetic sunsets of course Sadness and heartaches were there too but just for now lets keep the rose tinted spectacles on.
JW
p.s. Do remember that if you would like to add to or comment on these blogs you can contact us at guitar2pluck@yahoo.co.uk
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