My husband and I were recently out of town for a couple of weeks and when we got home, we actually had some things in our mailbox. Nowadays so much is done online that most of what you get is advertisements and basic junk mail. There was one piece of mail that stuck out which Dave tossed my way in amazement. It appeared to be a colorful postcard that was really an invitation from a funeral home to come and hear their spiel. But, the kicker was: it was a pizza party. That’s right. Come and enjoy pizza while we plan your exit.
ARE YOU KIDDING??? Seriously. What’s next? We’re honestly going to sit around eating pizza inside a funeral home with people we don’t know and plan our burial?
When you get old (which is just a number and hard to comprehend when you get there), the mail you get is predominantly from hearing aid companies, insurance companies, cleaning services, home health options, etc.,etc.,etc. Along with the ever-present offer of cremation.
Is this what they call “The Golden Years”? It’s laughable. But, sometimes, it’s wearing. Who wants to be reminded all the time: “Hey! Guess what? You’re OLD”?
We live in a retirement community so I often see people pushing walkers who are bent over and struggling to move. At times I pause to think that one day that gentleman was young and out riding his bike with his buddies, living life.
If any young person is still reading this, kudos to you for sticking with it. You aren’t yet in our spot of getting invitations for pizza to make your final arrangements. I wasn’t always in that spot, either. So, if you run into an elderly person who seems grumpy, try to understand (though you can’t totally till you’re here). And, enjoy each one of YOUR days while you are able. They are precious.
To us “old folks”: let’s refuse to let all this get us down. We’re still here which means we still have opportunity to model growing old gracefully. We still have time to share with those young “whipper snappers” some of what we’ve learned along the way. Life is hectic today for the younger set, and stressful. Maybe we can just listen.
What’s next? Who knows? But, if “laughter is the best medicine”, then that might be our best approach to some of these things. You have to admit: a pizza party in a funeral home is kinda funny… 🙂
“A time to weep and a time to laugh…” (Ecclesiastes 3:4a)
Amen! It is all in our attitude. You sure put a smile on my face this morning. 😊 Many Thanks and blessings to you.
Never thought I’d be here , now in , this way. Must be a good reason I’m still around. Thanks Teri.
I am 92 and ask this question every morning …..and have found this stage of life is an invitation for me to study and find myself approved.. I learn something new about Jesus and eternal life each time I open the Word. That keeps me from focusing too much on present turmoil The eyes are dimming and the hearing gone but bifocals and audio ear-sets allow knowledge from the Word to still seep inside my heart and mind. The search is like having ice cream everyday————without the weight gain
First of all, who would serve pizza at their funeral luncheon? By the time our kids pass, their funeral will be on Zoom. Gold is so expensive they now just call it the Senior years. They say we should live, laugh, love. I agree. God gave me life, a sense of humor and HIS love. Who needs pizza?!
Free pizza? I’ll listen to anything!
Growing old is a privilege denied to many. So laugh and bring on the pizza. Martha