Aging: When We Outlive the Things We Love

A friend of mine came back from a trip to her hometown. Clearly distraught, she confided in me: “My favorite diner is gone. It’s now turned into a Mexican restaurant. And its roof is a giant sombrero.

I’m not going to lie: I found the sombrero roof hysterical.

But then I kept pondering her frustration. As we age, places change: “They paved paradise, and put up a parking lot.” Joni Mitchel sang it well.

How can we find any joy in such things?

Maybe we can’t always find joy – but I did find something that helped change my perspective to something more positive. I can be thankful that though gone, a favorite restaurant left me with good memories. Because my beloved eating spot didn’t stay open, there is no fear of the memory being tainted.  Like a TV show that didn’t run past it’s prime, I only think happy and thankful thoughts when I think of a certain place.

Yes, unfortunately it’s the end of an era. But it’s the end of a good era. 

​Love, Auntie