By Jackie Houchin

#Bloganuary is a month of blog prompts that WordPress uses to get us bloggers off to a good start in the new year.

Day 5. Do you spend more time thinking about the past or about the future?

Past or future?  Hahahahahaha!  At age 78 the “past” is beginning to fade a bit from memory.

But the “future” looks pretty grim to this “good old days” gal (if you watch TV news or read newspapers you have to agree). I guess I think more of the FUTURE, although, maybe only a few days into it at a time.

I keep a Daily Planner that I check each morning and night. I list my appointments, chores, and plans for the day. (That’s thinking of the FUTURE, right?)  Usually I can check them off before shuffling off to bed. (Looking at the hours PAST)

I also have an old fashioned wall calendar that lists appointments, upcoming events, and family birthdays. It’s right by the old fashioned land line telephone, so I see it whenever I answer or use that phone. I do plan ahead and write birthday cards for the month for a few family members and friends. (FUTURE)  But when I write those cards, I think of how the people are special to me. (PAST)

About the little bit distant FUTURE, we are planning a fall vacation, a cruise in New England and Canada.  This is exciting, especially as ihe date gets closer. Saving and paying for it is part of the less-exciting aspects.

The far FUTURE?  Like, say, when I can’t support myself physically or mentally? Or when I die? Well there are plans in place, like insurance policies and a pre-paid cremation contract that will scatter my body’s ashes in the Pacific Ocean.  (I’ll spend the ETERNAL FUTURE in Heaven with God, because I trust in Jesus.)

One PAST pastime is scrolling through the thousands of photos I have on my cell phone. (It’s actually my modern-day camera!)  These bring up pleseant PAST memories, conversations, events, or simple beauties (pix of flowers and the wonderful places I’ve been). Sigh.

So while I yet live, I guess the FUTURE is a bit more ruminated about. OR, like Ziggy in Tom Wilson‘s cartoon, I mostly think about the PRESENT, which is a PRESENT (gift) from God.

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