Category Archives: Aging

Aging and caring for the aging

Virgel and Lucille

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Doc Arnett

It was his goal to live to be ninety years old, a feat he accomplished early this year. But, it was not his goal to live as a semi-invalid. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Living, Death & Dying, Family, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged choice, comfort, conversion, death of a family member, death with dignity, dialysis, passing | Comments Off

Shadow Boxing

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Doc Arnett

Last night’s hard freeze followed by this morning’s breeze is sending leaves falling to the ground like cereal shaken slowly from a box held high above the bowl. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Living, Nature, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged autumn, deception of life, falling leaves, illusion, philosophy, reality, shadows | Comments Off

Long Lessons

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Doc Arnett

I rise slowly in the slight light of a half-moon shining above the thin clouds that drift solemnly toward the east. The breeze that has pushed in with colder air keeps the grass in the pasture bare of frost. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Living, Family, Nature, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged dizziness, doing good for others, frost, humility, middle age | Comments Off

A Single Shelter

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Doc Arnett

Fringed with the dark red of autumn’s ending, its cluster of leaves holds thick enough that the horses still seek its shelter and hold to their spot as if tied there. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Living, Family, Farming, Nature, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged autumn, Bradford Pear, geldings, horses, rain, shade, shelter, support, togetherness | Comments Off

A Strong Drawing

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Doc Arnett

Autumn colors were barely past their peak as Dale and Betty drove us around and up and down the graveled hills and curves. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Living, Family, Farming, Nature, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged autumn colors, Burr Oak Baptist Church, Doniphan County Kansas, family, gravel roads, Kansas, roots | Comments Off

Rite of Passage

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Doc Arnett

we have largely lost the rite of passage that marks moving from child to man. In this age of indulgence and every kid with a cell phone by age nine, we have blurred the line that used to signal adulthood. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Living, Family, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged adolescence, adulthood, grandchildren, grandparents, privilege, rite of passage, teenage, thirteenth birthday | Comments Off

When/When Solutions

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Doc Arnett

Many of life’s little conflicts can be resolved when people are more interested in making things work than they are in making them difficult. Working things out is always greater honor to those we love than is making a stink in their name.

Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Living, Death & Dying, Family, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged adapting, funeral, honoring the deceased, memorial, memorial service, problem solving | Comments Off

Gettin’ Better

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Doc Arnett

Sometimes in our self-examinations, we may look too far in the wrong direction. If all I see is where I should be spiritually, I may become too discouraged. If I look back to the beginning of my walk with a wrong perspective, I may become too ashamed. Continue reading →