Read Bernie Otis’s New Book: “How to Prepare for Old Age— Without Taking the Fun Out of Life” (Amazon and Barnes and Noble)
Enjoying the Journey of Life
In a tiny village on the Irish coast lived an old lady, a virgin and very proud of it. Sensing that her final days were rapidly approaching, and desiring to make sure everything was in proper order when she dies, she went to the town's undertaker (who also happened to be the local postal clerk) to make the proper “final” arrangements.
As a last wish, she informed the undertaker that she wanted the following inscription engraved on her tombstone: BORN A VIRGIN, LIVED AS A VIRGIN, DIED A VIRGIN
Not long after, the old maid died peacefully. A few days after the funeral, as the undertaker/postal clerk went to prepare the tombstone that the lady had requested, it became quite apparent that the tombstone that she had selected was much too small for the wording that she had chosen.
He thought long and hard about how he could fulfill the old maid's final request, considering the very limited space available on the small piece of stone.
For days, he agonized over the dilemma. But finally his experience as a postal worker allowed him to come up with what he thought was the appropriate solution to the problem.
The virgin's tombstone was finally completed and duly engraved, and it read as follows: RETURNED UNOPENED
If you have ever planned a vacation then you know the excitement you feel as you decide on where you will journey and read about the destination, speak with your travel agent and look forward to making friends with those who live in different geographical areas then yours as well as seeing new things and having new adventures. And you also are. When the journey is completed, have wonderful memories to share with your friends and close loved ones.
So to, from the minute we are born we begin a journey that will take us through life and be filled with opportunities, happiness and joy. And yes as happens on any journey we take there will be disappointments, periods of suffering and pain.
I am reminded of a time when upon a return trip to California from Gulfport Mississippi new Orleans when the airliner we were supposed to take developed mechanical problems and we had to take a very small plane to New Orleans to connect with a major airliner.
The small plane ran into a violent storm over Lake Ponchatrane. We were engulfed in dark clouds and experiencing terrible lightning storms. It was scary, but suddenly we broke through the terror and emerged into a beautiful sun fled blue sky.
In life’s journey as well such things occur and we need to understand that. And if you have at each stage of your life planned the trip, been prepared to handle unexpected events and setbacks, when your journey ends your life’s story should be happily celebrated.
At each stage of our journey through life we deal with different issues/ Childhood questions, learning to deal with our parents (and/or children) choosing a path through education and a career, taking care of our aging parents, not to forget our own aging issues etc. etc. each presents a new challenge and each also presents an opportunity for us to grow and learn.
And as we make that journey we will come to forks in the road. One leads to a happy ending and one leads to a sad conclusion to life. If you have taken the time to carefully plan the trip there is little chance that you will make the wrong decision.
Nechoma Greisman wrote the following words:
“To a person who says despairingly, “look how far I have to go the Bible says “do not give up. After all look how far you’ve come. A little further; a little more effort, and you will reach the next stage. Don’t take on the whole journey at once. Go one step, one stage at a time. Set your goals on the next stop.
As long as you are alive, you can never become complacent about the number of journeys you’ve traveled”
The most satisfying of life’s Journeys we take are those which are well thought out and planned.
Bernard S. Otis
Seymour.Otis@gmail.com
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