In 10 Years I will be How Old?

If you ask a three-year-old that question, you might get a response like, "I will be all grown up."  As a parent, you realize your eight-year-old will be considered an adult. They most likely will move out and go to college. But if you are a grandparent, how old will you be in ten years? And what would life look like? Will you be retired? What are your hopes and dreams for that future point in your life?

My mom worked until she was 70 years old. After working her entire life, when her grandkids moved back into the area, she decided to move on. My dad, her husband, was already retired for almost ten years. She was an extraordinary planner. Twenty years prior, they painted a picture of what they would do in retirement by buying a lake property. It became a destination for grandkids to fish, swim, and boat on the small lake. They hosted "Camp Cadillac" every summer. Activities such as decorating bikes for a fictitious parade, pinata smashing, water balloon competitions, and the community fishing contest. Life couldn't be better.

But life moves on. My dad passed away less than ten years after she retired. She was alone in the house they intended to enjoy with their children and grandchildren for years to come. However, my mom continued to plan for the future, her future. What did she want life to be like in 10 years?

After careful consideration and taking the recommended year to grieve, a for-sale sign went up in her yard. Boldly she moved into a lifestyle community where she knew nobody. She quickly became active with water volleyball, ping pong, and a morning swim with a friend. She won many spelling bee competitions with her sharp mind. She acclimated to the lifestyle we often called her "college" experience. She became so active that our morning calls were cut short so she could attend the various events.

Until one day, after winning a rigorous ping pong tournament, she went back to her apartment suite to rest. As it turned out, that was her final game. The call came first thing in the morning. A concerned resident wondered why she missed her morning swim. A staff member called me to say she was non-responsive, but the ambulance was on its way. That was eight years, one month, and one day after her husband passed away.

My mother taught me many valuable lessons, but instilling in me the importance of planning has been the most significant. On our morning call the day before she died, she encouraged me to tell my stories which she often shared with her friends. She wanted me to write them down. She said, "If only there were more time."

A lot has happened in the seven years since my mom went to heaven. But we have been intentional about where we want to go and what it will look like. With my mom's encouragement, I have written my stories down as well as other stories. I became an author. With my sisters, we have written children's books under CJ Corki. As a history lover, I started a series, "Tales of Belle-Hampton."  Where our writing career is going? We are still painting our picture.

So, how old will you be in ten years? What does life look like? One thing is for sure; there is nothing more precious than time. As Dr. Suess once said, “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.”