My Arner's Prayer

I worked at the local family restaurant. Arner's, some years ago. I did NOT waitress. Arner's was my second job of which I had four: mother of two children, Arrow International,and a computer show on many weekends. I do not want to venture a guess as to the hours I would log in a week's time.

My manager once asked me why I didn't want to waitress. I told him I was fearful of dropping something like,let's say a full plate of spaghetti, on a customer. He said, "accidents happen." I said, "It wouldn't be an accident." I guess you could say my plate was full, so to speak. Customers at a restaurant could make me want to dump it...my full plate that is.

So often I encountered older citizens. Most were wonderful and fun. And then there were the "entitled" old ladies - grumpy, rude, and not fun to be around whatsoever.

..Which brings me to the prayer...."Please God, let me age, but please don't let me be an old lady."

The whole deal with growing older is to have a passion. It can be anything...reading, writing, ('rithmetic, for that matter)...art, music, crafts, bridge, cooking...whatever! and DO it with passion. And most of all, keep a well tuned sense of humor. And maybe biggest deal of all...do everything...with a light heart and joy. One really cannot take old age and infirmity as something personal.

Living in this world, being on this planet in this country right now is tough stuff. It was Thomas Paine that said, "These are the times that try men's [and women's] souls." It's been a long, hard 9 years. And I don't see it getting any better soon. And growing into retirement age right now, especially for me and so many is no picnic.

(At least I'll soon qualify for Medicare!)( Hmmmm??? Is that a government run healthcare system that is very pleasing and reassuring to most Americans?)

So maybe I need to change that Arner's prayer. "Please God, help me keep the joy in my heart. I'll need all the help I can get. I'm more and more worn out all the time."
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