Decline

     Sudden or gradual, temporary or permanent, a decline in physical and mental abilities takes a great deal of adjustment.  You may experience a decline in yourself or in your loved ones and have to face serious and often sad consequences.
     Strokes, accidents, and other sudden onset health problems are shocking and often require immediate adjustments.  More gradually developing problems allow time to prepare for what is to come.  Some problems may be temporary and can even be improved or overcome.  Unfortunately, other situations may be permanent and can even worsen.  We may become more dependent on a spouse, children, or professional caretakers.  Or a loved one may become more dependent on us.
     We do what we can to escape or postpone decline, but most of us who live to a ripe old age will have moments of feeling we are going downhill.  We may grieve the loss of youth.  Let's hope the wisdom of age will help us cope.  Now we can better understand our grandparents, parents, and other loved ones who have faced health problems.  We can develop compassion for those going through hard times.  Many people even get actively involved in finding cures for devastating diseases.
     As age creeps into our bones and all the other body parts, we need to focus on what we can do instead of what we can't.  As everyone knows, life has many ups and downs, and we have to adjust.  Better to appreciate what we have and accept the natural process of decline.