What happens when you grow old?

Do you suddenly realize that you’re closer to dying than is comfortable?
Or do you see the end of your life as gratifying and inevitable?
When your child no longer needs your care, do you feel relief?
Or do think that obligation will always be present, underneath?
When you no longer need to cook for your family, or your mate;
Do you long for the days where everyone sat at the table to wait?
As you made a grand entrance with a turkey for the holiday;
You were the one everyone bragged about at work the next day.
When the time comes that you’re old enough to retire;
Does that make you happy,or, do you ponder all that you did not acquire?
Is there a certain age that all of a sudden you think time is short?
That you need to make plans for that final trip to the morgue?
Do you acknowledge and believe that you are no longer young?
And everything you are supposed to struggle with is done?
I hope that I go through my golden years with some grace.
That I recall having memories of living a life I embrace.
Because in the end isn’t that what it’s all about;
Not the things you acquired, but, the people you can’t live without.

Randy McPeek