In The Winter Of My Years

I am in the winter of my years
Where part of me moves slower
Where time seems to speed up
As I just seem to get older.

Some mornings I fight back fears
As I realize the difficulties I face
The choices of whether to take the right or left road
While holding back tears and retaining some grace.

As the day wears on, I gain momentum
But it doesn't last very long
I keep my composure
All the while trying to sing a little song.

I am in the winter of my years
Where it is hard to move with ease
My hearing is slipping; my sight is less calculating
Never mind though, I find many things of which to cheer.

Some evenings I just sit and read
I reflect upon the days gone by
Trying to find things to laugh at
And not things that make me cry.

With the bad comes so much good
Images of my family, friends, things that "I might have done."
And some that "I should of, could of, and would of"
If all those concerned would have let me have my fun.

Back when I was young at heart
I wore daring colors, flowers in my hair and lace
I accepted rides from cute guys
Who I never would have let get to first base.

But now that I am here, in the winter of my years
I vow not to worry, to fret, or get uptight
I have way too much to do
Before the final winter becomes night.

I over spent myself last night
This morning the pain was great
I tried to move some boxes
I tried to move a crate.

Things got a little crazy yesterday
I even had on my schedule a date
The more he talked, the more we planned
The possibilities looked extremely great.

He said he was in the winter, the winter of his years
He didn't look a day older than me, however could he hear?
I watched him as he moved about how he favored his gait
I figured if he didn't speed up that we were going to be late.

We talked about our kids, our Xs and those who have died
We shared our fears, our fathoms and laughed until we cried
I am sure we exaggerate a bit or maybe even lied
But we are in the winter, the winter of our pride.

We compared this and that; we forgot, we remember it not
Yes, we are in the winter, the very winter of our years
How wonderful it is to have a friend who is similar in thought
He says he doesn't care, but he seems to care a lot!

It is important now I have someone during the winter of my years
Not as important what comes and goes what changes or what remains
God knows I don't have much time for many more escapades
More important, I can share it all as my winter years fade.

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