Life Speeds up

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Everyone must notice that as we get older, life speeds up.  As children, there is usually plenty of time to get things done... play, sleep, school and so forth.  As we get older, the pace of life increases, with harder school, maybe a first job, and dating.  Then we become adults, and it just speeds up more, with work, family, and other activities.

That frantic pace becomes more hectic as we get older.  In addition to work and family, we adopt interests and join various communities or organizations.  Sure, I am typical.  Although I am nearing retirement, I am still working a full time job.  Family is  not quite as central to my life, since the kids have moved on to their own lives, and it is now just my wife and me:  we take care of each other as needed.  I am a member of two Toastmasters clubs, in addition to serving in various roles outside the club.  I am a member of the local Amature Radio organization, although I only participate in some of their public service events.  I volunteer as the Chief Judge at a local polling precinct.  I maintain a large garden, and have taken up canning as fruit and vegetables beyond what we can eat fresh are harvested.  I am responsible for maintining the landscaping around our house.  I spend November and December as Santa Claus for neighborhood/hoa organizations who want to hire me.  Life is never dull, and my calendar is always well populated.

As I have gotten older, especially since 60, I find that this frantic pace is harder to maintain.  Conflicting meeting times mean that something has to give.  I don't go to radio club meetings any more.  The garden sometimes suffers over the summer, as other activities take precident.  New and improved infrastructure is more difficult to build or maintain:  my wife won't let me climb up on the big ladder to work on my radio gear:  I have to wait until I can get my son to come over to help out.  My hearing and eyesight are starting to deteriorate:  Driving at night is a pain, especially when it is raining.  It seems that there is never enough time to get done all that I plan.

My question for my readers is:  has life sped up for you?  Have you reached that tipping point where you have to choose between activities?  Have you had to abandon certain hobbies or sports because you are no longer physically capable of performing?  We all get older, but I hope that you all enjoy the ride right up until the end.

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