To those who are older, and to those who are not quite there yet: This is a beautifully written piece, and so true. Take a couple of minutes to read slowly, then gaze out the window of your mind onto the landscape that is your life and ask the question, “What will you do to cultivate the years that remain?”
You know time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems like yesterday that I was young, just married, and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all those years went.
I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams. But, here it is…the winter of my life, and it catches me by surprise. How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go? I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those “older people” were years away from me and that winter was so far off I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.
But, here it is…my friends are retired and getting grey…they move slower and I see an older person in myself now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me… but, I see the great change… Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant…but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we’d be.
Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore…it’s mandatory! Cause if I don’t on my own free will…I just fall asleep where I sit!
And so…now I enter this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!! But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I’m not sure how long it will last…this I know, that when it’s over on this earth…it’s over. A new adventure will begin!
Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn’t done…things I should have done, but indeed, there are also many things I’m happy to have done. It’s all in a lifetime.
So, if you’re not in your winter yet…let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life, please do it quickly! Don’t put things off too long!! Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can TODAY, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not!
You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life…so, LIVE FOR TODAY and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember…and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things you have done for them in all the years past!!
“Life”
is a GIFT to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who
come after. Make it a fantastic one. HAVE YOU ALWAYS DREAMED OF VISITING THE HOLY LAND? COME JOIN US
FOR “AUTUMN IN ISRAEL” + an additional 3-days in Jordan/Petra/Amman! FOR COMPLETE DETAILS CONTACT ME TODAY. [1] Since more than one or two writers lay claim to having
penned these thoughtful words, I acknowledge the one I’m most certain is
deserving—Author Unknown.

That brought back many memories!
Reading this felt so true… thanks for sharing!
So true. I have lived it and I am still in my winter and hopefully for a while longer. God has blessed me in many ways. Amen
So true. I have lived it and I am still in my winter and hopefully for a while longer. God has blessed me in many ways. Amen
Exactly what all of us in our “winter” have thought more than once! Love this!
I will share this with my Military Honor Guard Members here in Michigan.thanks.
The earliest copy of the poem I’ve found can be seen here.
https://theeducator.ca/and-then-it-is-winter/
To whom it may concern,
It’s from a biographical Novel written by
Loy Vannatter
in May 15 2010..
I have the book. I bought mine at https://www.thrift books.com
You can find it on amazon in paperback only
Although I can resonate with much of this message, this “unknown” author seems to be missing the Beauty of aging and seems to imply that death is the end of life.
Most folks have some kind of awareness that the essence of who we already always are lives on beyond the decline and passing of the body.
Any regrets are founded in an underlying fear of death and a resistance to face squarely our own mortality.
Once we do allow that death is a natural part of life then we relax into the process and age/sage gracefully with no or little regret. This message, although it has good intentions, seems to perpetuate our society’s limited view on what it truly means to live life fully and Die Wise.
So true! As I enter the “deep winter” of my life, it’s so easy to confirm those words. Take note, all you younger people. Life is like a mountain: going up the first 40 or 50 years seems to take soooo long; going down happens in a flash!
I am retiring on June 26, 2024. This poem was sent to me many years ago and it lay in my desk. The sender said not to read it until I cleared out of the office for my final day. I would love to read it for all of my friends, because they have been my family for the past 28 years. With your permission, I will do so at my retirement party.
Thank you,
Bobbie
that was spot on!