And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new,
for he says, ‘The old is good.’”
~ Luke 5:39
I read a wisecrack once that went, “He who lives a long life will die a lonely person.” I found that humorous with a ring of truth to it. When one dies very very old, one is likely to be the only one left among friends and contemporaries. I remember my mother-in-law in her old age would sometimes inquire about a friend or a relative only for us to tell her that they have passed away. And she would get lonelier with each query we answer.
I feel more like an old wine. The old is gold. I welcome each morning with joy and anticipation. My days are not as hectic as they used to be. Now, I have the time and the leisure to relish every moment. I enjoy chewing on the cud. Sometimes, I would even regurgitate some memories and not just reminisce them but re-live them in the present.
I am more at home with silence and alone-ness. These are times I can really count my blessings and enjoy them all over again. No moment is ever wasted when they are spent in gratitude for all that have been.
Don’t I miss all my friends and families that Have gone before? Oh yes, I do. But I want to relish the remaining years I have with my present loved ones. At the same time, I am excited to meet my loved ones who have gone ahead once more in forever.
“Lord, thank you for the experience of being like old wine. This wineskin you have given me has served me well. It is good for some, maybe many more, years. But at the same time I am excited to receive from you my new wineskin when you will do a remake of me.”