Never Thinking Of Growing Older Poem by RoseAnn V. Shawiak

When young, never thinking of self as old, never a thought of
what it would be like, aging was natural, everyone went through
it, thoughts were never a part of life beyond the present.

Volunteering with the elderly at twelve years old, helping to
feed those who couldn't feed themselves, talking and helping
them with things they could no longer do for themselves.

Never thinking about it at all, later specializing in geriatric
nursing, in charge of the men's and women's infirmaries, doing
everything a nurse needed to do.

Working and taking care of the nuns and priests, caring for the
dying patients, always being chosen by the Mother Superior to
attend to their needs.

Loving doing it, never complaining, enjoying working and caring
for the elderly, never a thought of self growing older, somehow
it happened through the years.

Now needing care with every day things that cannot be done for
self because of many surgeries, hating to lose independence and
freedom, wanting to do things alone.

Biding time, getting stronger, needing more surgery to make it
better, impatiently sitting on the sidelines, wanting so badly
to do what was done when younger.