I Used to . . .

All scripture is from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible

June 5, 2026

By H. Janet Stephens Sacarello, BA, MA

I used to . . .  Those must be the most hated three words in the English language!

      This blog is addressed to everyone, but at this particular time is probably more appropriate for those over age 70.  However, perhaps this will contain information you can pass along to the young, not that they will take it to heart.

      First, updating you on my son’s recovery from his May 18, 2025, stroke, on April 13, my daughter snatched him without my approval from my home under the pretense of taking him to lunch and returning him.  Even though I had Power of Attorney, Corporal Dustin Starks and Deputy Zach Robinson, both from the Denton County Sheriff’s Patrol Division, said there was nothing they could do because Dale was 64 years old and could make his own decisions.  My POA was no good unless signed by a judge. This is the finale.  Dale is no longer recovering with us, and we do not have a clue as to where he is other than in Arkansas at his sister’s home.  There are many more details involved, but not pertinent to this blog.

      I was upset and disappointed with the sheriff’s department, and amazed by the legal terminology regarding the ineffectiveness of a Power of Attorney document.  But that’s the subject of another blog following some research.

      Since it appeared there was nothing I could do, I turned it over to God.  It’s easy to say you’re turning something over to God but doing it is another thing.  I kept cluttering my mind to see how I could fix it.  Two days after this event, I had an encounter with a calf who escaped from the pasture and I ended up with a broken wrist bone and painful back.  I took this as God telling me, “You turned this over to me, now back off and let Me handle it.”  All of this rhetoric to now find myself often using those hated three words,

“I used to . . .

      Putting aside my injury limitations, and considering my age, I use those words a lot these days. As Hubby and I sit on the porch and admire his yard mowing skills, I say "I used to mow that yard." There are a lot of things during my single years at this ranch that "I used to do, inside and outside."

Aging is a whole new experience. It's certainly not for wimps, and it's actually a learning experience.  A lot of changes need to be made. but once those changes are made, and you realize adjustments are necessary, get on with your life, not the same life, but perhaps you can make it a more stress-free life learning what you need to do to stay healthy so you can continue doing what you can now do and stop dwelling on what you used to do. (My Opinion, take it or leave it.)

Scripture -- Isaiah 46:4 (KJV) - "And even to your old age I an he; and even to hoar (gray) hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you."