Old age slips up on you in a snap of a finger

[Jim Robinson]

I don't remember when I got old, it just happened. One day I turned around and discovered I was an old man. Thinking back on it I think it was after my wife died. When Sheila died it took all the wind out of my sails. I'm now adrift, without rudder, without anchor and without a North Star. The bilge water is creeping up and threatening to put the fires out for good.

If you've ever experienced being dead in the water in the middle of an ocean, that's how I'm feeling right now. It's a surreal feeling.

'O God, thy sea is so great and my boat is so small.'

[Stingray51]

We salute you, American Hero Jim Robinson!

[TribalPrincess2U]

No one knows what we go thru when we are old and our loved one has gone,
until it happens to them.

Praying for you, and your family.

[VeniVidiVici]

Awesome post. Thank you

[Songcraft]

Here's a hymn for you, Jim.   God bless you.

    "Jesus Savior Pilot Me" - The Crist Family     (hymn link)

    "Jesus Savior Pilot Me" - Walt Mills     (hymn link)

LYRICS

Jesus, Savior, pilot me,
Over life's tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treach'rous shoal;
Chart and compass come from Thee:
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

As a mother stills her child,
Thou canst hush the ocean wild;
Boist'rous waves obey Thy will
When Thou say'st to them, "Be still!"
Wondrous Sov'reign of the sea,
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

When at last I reach the shore,
And the fearful breakers roar
'Twixt me and the peaceful rest,
Then, while leaning on Thy breast,
May I hear Thee say to me,
"Fear not, I will pilot thee."
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

[Thomas Jerome]

I have been eating at the same diner in town. These people that I have been seeing all these years are really looking old now.....LOL

[metmom]

When I hit forty, it like someone flipped a switch.

The vision started being an issue, I started with plantar fasciitis, and my food sensitivities started worsening noticeably.

It’s been downhill since then

[Churchillspirit]

Sure does....until March 2020 I was doing a fulltime job (as I had done for 64 years) in a Department store - not allowed to sit while on duty. No problem.

Now I have difficulty walking; climbing stairs, getting out of bed.

Not impressed.....

[CaptainPhilFan]

I’m so sad you’re feeling down. Jim, your whole FReeper Family loves and respects you. God loves you and Jesus loves you.

You are a national treasure. Find anything good to think about when dark thoughts creep.

And you or Chris just ask for anything you need or want.

God bless you.

[TexasKamaAina]

I got old last year. It just kind of hits you suddenly. I looked in the mirror and there it was. I realized I had crossed the line. I would love to be 50. I know now how young I was at 50 and you are, too.

Last year I received a word that I would die this year. Maybe I misunderstood it. But "The days of our years are threescore and ten; and if by reason of strength they be four score years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow, and we fly away...So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." (Psalm 90:20-11)

[Billyv]

Prayers up for you Jim. People like you are the glue God uses to keep people striving to persevere in times of trouble, grief, or challenge. May God bless and keep you, amen.

WWG1WGA!

[flutters]

Much love and prayers sent for you.

[dayglored]

Hi Jim,

So sorry you're going through a rough spell. You are in my prayers daily, for resilience and peace of mind. I'lll make 'em a little stronger now.

I'm forever indebted to you and forever grateful for FreeRepublic, your vision and creation. I can't imagine the last 20 years without it (okay, 19 since I signed up as of Tuesday). First thing I read every morning, last thing every night.

At 72 I'm starting to fall apart although I do my best to ignore the signs (feet, hair, teeth, hips, back, heart). My wife has been battling incurable cancer (multiple myeloma) and multiple bone fractures in all four limbs; she's just now re-learning to walk a little, but we both are aware that we're OLD and getting evermore feeble, and yeah it seems to have jumped us when we weren't looking. WTF happened.

Please take heart with all the love and support in these comments. There's a lot of prayer and good energy being sent in your direction.

God Bless you and FreeRepublic, and God Bless America. My He see fit to keep you going strong until He calls you home at last.

[Theophilus]

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm does bind the restless wave,
Who bids the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea.

O Savior, whose almighty word
The winds and waves submissive heard,
Who walked upon the foaming deep,
And calm amid the rage did sleep;
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea.

O Holy Spirit, who did brood
Upon the waters dark and rude,
And bid their angry tumult cease,
And give for wild confusion peace;
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea.

O Trinity of love and pow’r,
Your children shield in danger’s hour;
From rock and tempest, fire, and foe,
Protect them where-so-e’er they go;
Thus, evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea

[mass55th]

"When I hit forty, it like someone flipped a switch."

Same here. Even though I've outlived everyone else in my family (they all smoked...I didn't), I've got health issues none of them ever had.

[TexasKamaAina]

I got old last year. It just kind of hits you suddenly. I looked in the mirror and there it was. I realized I had crossed the line. I would love to be 50. I know now how young I was at 50 - and you are, too.

Last year I received a word that I would die this year. Maybe I misunderstood it. But "The days of our years are threescore and ten; and if by reason of strength they be four score years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow, and we fly away...So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." (Psalm 90:20-11)

So that's what I do - try to grow in the application of wisdom. For me that means not succumbing to the temptation to despair but to vigorously invest emotionally and in deed in my family, in Scripture, in prayer. It doesn't happen automatically for me. I have to be deliberate and intentional about it.

[detective]

My loving wife passed away a short time ago.

I remember her kindness and her support.

For about a week after the funeral I found it difficult to do anything.

I just sat in a chair and stared into space.

Then gradually friends and family got me involved again.

We all need time to grieve.

Don’t rush it. Go at your own pace.

Soon you will be back to your old self.

[sasquatch]

Sir,
I’ve been in the same boat for three years. It sucks.

[dforest]

I have been feeling that the days go faster and faster. But the truth is that I am getting slower and slower. Lost both of my parents, my husband, and my best friend in a two year time frame. My kids live in other States.

I know the feeling of losing your other half, the person you talked to and shared your heart with.

Things are okay here. It is the country that isn’t. Hang on to your faith and do not lose a sense of humor. Laughter is a healer.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Will lift YOU up in prayer tonight, too.
Take heart!
My hubby was diagnosed with cancer in 2009
after surgery and chemo has been cancer free for about 14 years!
Take good care of YOU!

[freemama]

So many wise words here. I will just a prayer that you find purpose and joy in the time you have before the Lord calls you home.