Tags
She frantically put the pressure cup on her left arm and started the monitor. She had felt dizzy most of the day. She waited anxiously as the pump kept going up. Finally, after a minute or so, it stopped. She looked down at the monitor. It read 170/103 – too high and at a critical point. She pulled the pressure cup off her arm and placed the monitor on the bench beside the bed. She looked up at me and stated, “I don’t have time to die today.” My elderly mother has suffered from high blood pressure for over twenty years. Frequent checkups and follow-ups by the cardiologist prove frustrating. Her medications keep going up per office visit. If she takes them all at one time, she complains of dizziness. Several trips to the Emergency Room and hospitalizations were caused by a heart attack and two mild strokes, suffered within the past decade. Yet, she goes on physically and is still active today. This seemed ironic to me as I didn’t expect my festy, little 85-year old mother to make this statement. Yet, truth be known, many of us would not have time to die today if known ahead of time of our fate. Death is unthinkable or a last option. It is terminal and permanent. Idealistically, we would find a “Fountain of Youth” and live forever. Many scientists and medical doctors have researched this for centuries. Is there such a thing as a youth-induced pill that keeps our bodies young and thriving? Are there any magical pills or formulas out there? Some medical doctors have specialized in alternative medicine, various anti-aging methods or natural homeopathic procedures. Natural foods, diets and procedures are utilized to prevent the effects of “aging” or slow it down considerably. I find the advertisements for the “all miracle cures” hilarious as there is no just thing I’ve found that exists. I constantly trash pamphlets and brochures received in the mail telling of “miracle” drugs or supplements. Theoretically, there is no such thing as “young forever” which exists in our culture. Yet, millions of people internationally search for the secret to an eternal youthful face and body. The ‘External Youth’ that keeps on ticking. Skincare and beauty products to promote a more youthful appearance have been around for hundreds of years. It is nothing new to the public, no matter how much media would like for you to believe they are a modern avenue or new innovation. That is what it is basically – social media. It makes money, so don’t be pulled in by misleading advertising. Would they keep selling them if they didn’t make a buck or two? There is a high cash flow for the beauty and skincare markets. Plastic and cosmetic surgeons are good among this trade. Each year, women and men pay thousands of dollars for cosmetic enhancements, treatments, procedures or even surgeries. Sometimes the physical alterations don’t change the physical appearance that much, but the person is out of thousands of bucks. You tell me who isn’t benefiting from this? Logically speaking, our bodies will breakdown with age. It’s the normal process of aging. Two things are certain. All of us will get older and we will age in time. What’s the alternative – death? Our metabolic rate will slow down and our bodies will start to decline. The morbid details of death are not even a discussion among young people today. None of us like to think about own immortality. But it is a certainty, as it is a part of life.
"Bethie" said:
Thanks Anne for writing this! Over the last 13+ months, I’ve been in and out of hospitals, dealt with infections that came very close to taking my life, and there were days when death seemed better than the life I was living. I get it now…if God had wanted me He would have taken me when I was born, but He didn’t and He didn’t take me this past year, so that can only mean that He does have a purpose for my life, and I know what that is now….it’s writing, and lifting people up and encouraging them with the words I put on the page and into people’s hands via my blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
annepm2015 said:
Yes, Bethie, God has a purpose for you. I feel I personally know you as reflected through your writing. I’m glad you are still among the living with us. I’m sorry for your plight with infections this past year. I have my own struggles physically and medically, but I hold on to hope. I admire your courage and your positive outlook on life. Anne 🙂
LikeLike
lasaintlafreeman said:
Yes death is necessary, death defines life…
LikeLiked by 1 person
annepm2015 said:
It is definitely. Thanks for replying. 🙂
LikeLike
handikwani02 said:
I agree with you Anne everything in the universe has life cycle from plants to humans. Like you I am baffled by people who buy into believing they forever stay young. the life cycle is that as we celebtate each birthday another year is added to the ageing process, it we should embrace that process. Thank you for well thought out post.
LikeLike
annepm2015 said:
Thank you for your comments. I appreciate you taking the time to visit my blog and read my post. Yes, aging seems inevitable, yet we learn through the life cycle itself. Well spoken – “from plants to humans.” Some people don’t accept aging for whatever reason. My grandmother dyed her hair for years before her passing because she said she didn’t want to appear old. Thanks again for replying. 🙂
LikeLike
A.B Mood said:
I am so sorry to hear about your mother’s illness. 😦 It is the absolute worst feeling to see your parent like that. All of us have to face that ultimate fate, but all we can do is pray that he makes the journey as less painful as possible.
LikeLike
annepm2015 said:
Well, she is getting up in age. Glad to have her still around. Nobody likes to see their parent(s) get older. Rather, we think they will live forever. My mother has had high b/p for many years. Genetics and hereditary factors in our family. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
A.B Mood said:
I’ll pray for your mother that she lives a longer, happier and healthier life. 🙂 My mother is diabetic and suffers from hypertension as well 😦 Her blood pressure always stays in the high range. And I myself am at a risk of being diabetic because it also runs in my genes as well.. I just hope it doesn’t develop soon..
LikeLike
bowmanauthor said:
A good dose of the truth in living or not living. I think sometimes there are so many books I’ll never have a chance to write. Middle-aged is a term of transition when you have to accept there is an end creeping up on us.
LikeLike
annepm2015 said:
There are many books out there and I’m surprised how many books are written each year. Still, I wouldn’t let that stop you if interested in writing. I guess my post was about my elderly mother reflecting “She didn’t have time to die today” as a bit of irony, however perceived by the reader. Thanks for visiting my blog. Anne 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
bowmanauthor said:
My 90-ear old mother is my best editor. No one can edit or critique their own work. Mom was a journalist in the Army during WWII.
LikeLiked by 1 person
annepm2015 said:
My 85-year old mother. too. She majored in English and has great grammar. 🙂
LikeLike
A.B Mood said:
Hello there dear! I have nominated your blog for the Liebster Award. Please go to this post for more info. ^_^
https://couchpotahto.wordpress.com/2015/03/26/ive-been-nominated-d-tap-dancing-mode-activated/
LikeLiked by 1 person
annepm2015 said:
Thank you so much. I am honored. 🙂
LikeLike
Divorce With Me said:
Very accurate. We are here and our time will come when ready. Enjoy life, right?
Also, just to bounce off the comment regarding people spending money on cosmetic procedures, etc….I always find it odd that people try to “hide” their age. Why can’t we just accept that aging is natural? Getting a face lift never fools anyone. If it makes one feel better, then, fine. But an 80 year old woman will not fool anyone into thinking she’s 40, right? So, what’s the point? LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
annepm2015 said:
I agree. I see some actors and actresses that have had face lifts so tight that they can not shut their eyes. LOL
LikeLike
Susan said:
What a well written post on the truth about life – aging – death and how media is feeding off the masses that fear the impending end as if we can somehow avoid it ever happening. I am reading a good book called Being Mortal by Atul Gawande about how physicians are not trained to help people cope with death. The push to pretend we can stop aging covers so many realms.
Your mother, she sounds like she is fantastically resilient / not wasting her time while she is here!
I am glad you visited my site ! I’ll be reading you again!
LikeLike
annepm2015 said:
That’s the best compliment anybody could ever say to another blogger. Yes, my little “festy” mom is a fighter. I took after her, thank goodness. I’m glad you enjoyed reading my blog and please do visit again. I look forward to visiting yours.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Do You Have An Open Mind? | The Main Focus