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

Posted on 06/09/2024 4:09:56 PM PDT by 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.'


TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: freerepublic; hugs; jimrobinson; morehugs; oldage; prayers; withyoujim
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To: bethelgrad

I’m about to be 57.
20 years ago seems like 5 years ago.
20 years from now I’ll be 76.

It’s a scary thought..


61 posted on 06/09/2024 5:00:43 PM PDT by mowowie
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To: Jim Robinson; military cop

Military cop basically summarized my feelings:

“You are and always have been important to us.”

You have become that North Star with this great service, Free Republic!!!

We’re all with you on this journey, Jim.

“Fear not…”

Jim, “Thanks for allowing us to know each other and to know you during these trying times!”

RLTW

3 posted on 6/9/2024, 4:12:17 PM by military cop


62 posted on 06/09/2024 5:01:15 PM PDT by Grampa Dave (If voting made any difference, they wouldn't allow us to vote! Our 6th Jan PROTESTERS stood up! )
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To: Jim Robinson

Jim,

When I first started surfing FR in ~1998 I was not a believer.

Some time later at one of the FReeper picnics in FResno (remember those?) I told you that FR had led me to look into Christianity more.

Years after that, in 2008, God came to me suddenly and slapped me awake. Through a series of interesting steps over an intense 48 hours or so I went from largely unknowing and unbelieving of Christ to being a committed and confessing Christian.

I have many times looked back and thought that being a regular on this site before I believed had a big part in softening my heart and preparing me to receive God’s grace.

I’m certain that there are others who experienced similar here.

When you stand before God (as we all will someday) I expect He will show you how your work on this site yielded fruit for His Kingdom.

May God Bless you, Jim.

Tom in San Francisco

(formerly Rogue Yam)


63 posted on 06/09/2024 5:01:56 PM PDT by Tom in SFCA
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To: Jim Robinson

Dear Jim,
Rudderless is a good description. I will add vulnerable. I don’t LIKE being vulnerable.
I don’t know what I thought old age would be like but I never imagined this. 85 lbs. Sick and isolated.
After 3 years of loosing my community to fire, and our family home to dam breaching, 3 rounds of covid and a relentless lifelong disability I was still hanging on. Until I lost my last friend and family.

Be assured in the fact that you went the extra mile for your family and country and never gave up!

Thank you for the soapbox and allowing me to use it, Jim Robinson. May you have peace!
AuntB


64 posted on 06/09/2024 5:03:16 PM PDT by AuntB (Trump is our Ben Franklin - Brilliant, Boisterous, Brave and ALL AMERICAN!)
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To: mowowie

“have avoided looking in the mirror for a LONG time now.
Now, when I am forced to I am horrified.”

Oh yes
I wasn’t prepared for the UGLY part. UGH


65 posted on 06/09/2024 5:05:51 PM PDT by AuntB (Trump is our Ben Franklin - Brilliant, Boisterous, Brave and ALL AMERICAN!)
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To: Lazamataz

🙃


66 posted on 06/09/2024 5:06:29 PM PDT by Jane Long (The role of the GOP: to write sharply-worded letters as America becomes a communist hell-hole.)
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To: libertylover; Jim Robinson

You put that well LL.

Without your vision Jim, we wouldn’t have this incredible community. Yea, we’re a bit dysfunctional sometimes, but so is every group of family.

It was an honor in my life to shake hands with you many years ago.


67 posted on 06/09/2024 5:07:20 PM PDT by cyclotic (Don’t be part of the problem. Be the entire problem)
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To: Jim Robinson

Sir, I am now 69 and when I awaken each day I face the fact I have accomplished little in this life.

You, sir, have accomplished much!
Your Free Republic site has changed lives. Saved lives, even. Thank you.


68 posted on 06/09/2024 5:08:33 PM PDT by Wasichu
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To: Jim Robinson

At the end of April last year, I was paralyzed by a medication error in the hospital. I have never hurt so much. It took about 90 days to relearn how to walk. I started an exercise class. After about a year, most of the muscle pain was gone. Now I just have to deal with the nerve pain. But what happened was I decided I was going to walk again. In that class the two sessions I missed, which I made up at home, were for doctor’s appointments. Weirdly, I am in many ways in much better health today than I would have been if nothing bad had happened.

There are probably a hundred sayings that might be appropriate. Here’s my go at one. For every door that closes, another opens. I am better mentally, and in some respects, physically than I otherwise would have been.

Losing a loved one is the most difficult blow to overcome. Set a new goal and stick to it. Another door will open.


69 posted on 06/09/2024 5:09:13 PM PDT by Gen.Blather (Wait! I said that out loud? )
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To: Jim Robinson

Dear Mr Robinson, you are stronger than you know. You are an inspiration to others and have many unseen friends who, along with God, are rooting for you. I can say first hand that faith and wonderful memories have sustained me after my husband passed away. I too am old now but have realized in my coming this far that I was never alone. Sir, neither are you, God bless.


70 posted on 06/09/2024 5:10:10 PM PDT by DataJunkie
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To: Jim Robinson

Fight the good fight as long as you have breath, Jim. I lost my wife three years ago, and I chose to be grateful to God for time together. Nothing lasts forever, except that it does in God’s kingdom. I fully believe that we will rejoin, except if *I* don’t make the cut. God bless! Bob


71 posted on 06/09/2024 5:11:08 PM PDT by alstewartfan (Child slavery, rape and drug OD's mean nothing to Roberts and Barrett. )
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To: Jim Robinson

Welcome, to the Golden age...


72 posted on 06/09/2024 5:11:27 PM PDT by Doc91678 (Doc91678)
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To: Jim Robinson

I hear you Jim! Extra prayers. Yes you are not alone and your Sheila is with you just not visible. Some of us are just exhausted. What keeps me going? My faith and witnessing one of the most amazing times in history. Know that your forum has helped bring this about and it’s not done yet. God bless!


73 posted on 06/09/2024 5:12:18 PM PDT by MomwithHope (Forever grateful to all our patriots, past, present and future.)
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To: Jim Robinson

We don’t worry about how old trees are, instead we think of them growing every year. Be like a tree!


74 posted on 06/09/2024 5:12:55 PM PDT by bigbob
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To: Jim Robinson

“the sun is the same in a relative way but you’re older...shorter of breath and one day closer to death”


75 posted on 06/09/2024 5:14:03 PM PDT by Qwapisking ("IF the Second goes first the First goes second" L.Star )
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To: Jim Robinson; MS.BEHAVIN
Prayers of peace and healing for you, Jim.
Lord, please be with Jim, his doctors, and his family.


One Day at A Time


76 posted on 06/09/2024 5:16:40 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: Jim Robinson

Your Legacy is all of ours— our North Star for generations. Never doubt that. And the Lord will fill you in as needed, as one of His Own.


77 posted on 06/09/2024 5:17:38 PM PDT by John S Mosby (Sic Semper Tyrannis)
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To: Jim Robinson

I’ll be 64 this summer. HOW THE HECK DID THAT HAPPEN? I was an Army-Ready kick-@ss for most of my life. Now, lifting a 50# bag of animal feed is a struggle!

And I fell off my bike 2x last year after riding for-ever! My sense of balance now officially sucks.

However - I’m still 19 on the inside. And I’m still about 12 when it comes to my sense of humor. And my Inner Child is stuck on ‘Toddler.’ Give me a cookie and a nap and I’ll be just fine. ;)

We love you, Mr. Robinson! You have built something very, very good here! *SMOOCH*


78 posted on 06/09/2024 5:17:46 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: Jim Robinson

Look to the Hills
Whence Your Salvation Comes,
We cannot Fathom
The Glory that Awaits!
To Walk the Streets of
The New Jerusalem with JESUS
Is my Final Burning desire as
All things here Are Vanities.


79 posted on 06/09/2024 5:19:25 PM PDT by Big Red Badger (ALL Things Will be Revealed !)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

AMEN.


80 posted on 06/09/2024 5:20:17 PM PDT by stars & stripes forever (Blessed is the nation whose GOD is the LORD. (Psalm 33:12))
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