SENIOR MOMENTS

OK, so…senior moments.

Used to be "few and far between." Now, they’re a regular, daily occurrence.

Of all the things I’ve lost, I miss my mind the most.

Some days are better than others. I would tell you about them, but I don’t remember them! But I DO have a story about a particularly acute "senior moment" day –

It happened a couple of weeks ago – I think…

A Monday – not the best day of the week for "rapid-firing brain cells." Mondays are not my friends. Weekend lethargy does its best to place me in a bit of a brain stupor – and I’m just not quite awake until…oh golly…maybe Wednesday.

However, this particular Monday, though groggy, I realized that I had neglected to do the bank balancing for awhile.

I have a system for this – it’s rather ingenious, I think – I write down every ATM purchase, every credit transaction, every check, every automatic payment, in this little stenographer’s notebook I have. It’s really helped me keep track of spending. Used to be that when I checked the balance in our account, I was shocked. "Where did all the money go?"

Well, now I know.

So, "balancing" is just a matter of checking off items that have cleared the bank, factoring in outstanding amounts, and reconciling my balance with the bank’s.

I usually do this about once a week.

Except that since about November, the speed at which the Earth orbits the Sun has increased. At least that’s MY explanation for why time is going SO MUCH FASTER lately!!

Bank balancing had not been done for about a month.

Not a problem. I have a little "running total" that I keep in my head – and I’m usually pretty right on. So, I’m not in any danger of bouncing any checks. OK, balancing done. I might as well attend to the bills…

I’m leafing through the bills – wait a second…

Why do I have two copies of my property tax bill?

OH NO.

Yup, the first installment should have been paid by December 10 – LAST YEAR!

Total oversight. Total "senior moment."

Called up, paid the bill, (with the lovely late fees added in) – what a dummy I am.

OK, bank balancing done, bills paid – Check.

Decided to treat myself by going and reading my new emails. That should be fun. Oh, here’s one from the Women’s Ministries Director at the church where I attend Bible Study.

"Dear Sharon, We’re so glad to have you join us for Bible Study! I got your check for the registration fees, and the study book. Would you mind just stopping by the check-in table and signing it for me? That would be great!"

Uh huh – wrote a check, didn’t sign it.

Total oversight. Total "senior moment."

Later that evening, exhausted, I tumbled in next to "The Hub" at about 11:00 PM. He mumbled a sleepy good-night. I sighed a big sigh, turned on my side, and made a mental note to stop by and sign my check – right after I drop off my fruit for snack…

THE FRUIT!!

Oh no!! I bolted upright. "The Hub" bolted upright.

"What’s wrong?"

"I forgot the fruit for tomorrow."

"Do you need it?"

"Yes. I’m one of only three ladies bringing fruit for over 60 women!"

So, we started rummaging through the phone book to find a market still open. We did. And my precious husband and I bundled ourselves up, and went to buy fruit. He even helped me cut it up when we returned home.

We were back in bed – for good – about midnight.

"Is there anything else you’ve forgotten?" my husband thoughtfully said. (It’s a credit to him that there wasn’t even an OUNCE of sarcasm in this statement…)

"No," I sighed. "I think 3 for 3 is good enough for today."

Senior moments – forgetting.

It happens.

And most of the time, we can laugh at our mistakes.

But, there are certain things that I don’t EVER want to forget.

"Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins…He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things…the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear him." (Psalm 103)

"Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done…Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds…Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given…Remember his covenant forever – the commitment he made to a thousand generations." (1 Chronicles 16)

Yeah, THAT'S worth remembering!!

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