The following article on humor and aging, is presented here for your information and education, and was published in the Albuquerque Journal in the Mature New Mexico magazine.  The copyrighted piece was written by Corky Vann of the Los Angeles Times. In this piece, I will quote from it, and paraphrase as necessary, and then I will give my two-cents as well.

Article: "When Sandy Moehle received a birthday card that read, "Old age ain't for sissies' her sentiment summed up her feelings about dealing with the physical and mental challenges of aging.  It also made her laugh!  'I'm going to put this saying in my office,' says Moehle, 59.  'Some parts are getting older are a real pain, but seeing the humor in them makes the process easier to deal with.'

My two-cents: I think old age, is one of the worst things that can happen to anyone!  Now, that I've crossed the 60 mark, I worry more and more about it!  You know...the before and the after.  But, like anyone else...there is nothing any of us can do about it...except to take care of myself.  Getting old is better than the alternative for sure!

Article: "Steven M. Sultanoff, a California clinical psychologist and past president of the American Association of Therapeutic Humor and self-labeled "mirthologist" says the benefits of laughter are no joke!  Learning to enjoy the ups and downs of life reduces stress; improves communications; energizes; enhances relationships and generally makes people feel better.  'Studies show that humor might be dangerous to your illness,' writes Sultanoff, who maintains the website (humormatters.com), which includes an extensive section devoted to aging related humor.'"

My two-cents:  My father are as different as black and white.  He lived to be 81 years old, and I don;'t know how he did it.  He never went to see a doctor in his life.  He was one of those medical-phopics...you know...the people who are afraid of doctors; needles; nurses; bed-pans, etc., and everything medical, etc.  He was a heavy smoker all his life, and because of this, he was always sick and never lived a quality life! 

On the other hand, I have always taken care of myself...walking and jogging 10-15 miles a week since 1986; "pumping aluminum" for the last 20 years; getting a flu shot once a year; getting a physical exam once a year and trying to eat a good diet and so forth.  I quit smoking in 1970; don't drink;  have never have touched drugs...and I know all this sounds the life of a sissy... but if he walks like a sissy...

So, I try to take care of myself as best I can, but with my luck...I'll probably get run over by a spinach truck..on its way to a health store to deliver some asparagus and pumpkin seeds, etc. 

My two-cents/continued:  When my wife's parents were in their 80's, they moved into an apartment complex, which catered to the elderly, which has a medical staff on hand and so forth.  And, I visited her parents with her, but I didn't like going over there!  Her parents were in fine condition, but I would see other elderly people sitting around in a wheelchair, with their heads hung over, and just sitting there!  I don't think they knew where they were!  Just like there was no life in the body...and this was so depressing to me to see this!

Article; "Forget about the 'it only hurts when I laugh' concept, says author and humorist Loretta LaRoche.  'The truth is...is hurts more when you don't laugh, LaRoche, 62 acknowledges.  That while failing health, the loss of loved ones and other realities of aging aren't funny, a sense of humor is one of the best coping mechanisms around.  'Sure, sure aging is tough, but what's the alternative?' says Roach, who recently released an audiotape entitled 'Aging with Humor.'  Find your inner sitcom and make it your last comedy.'"

A new book can help.  'Age Doesn't Matter Unless You're a Cheese: Wisdom From the Elders,' by Katherine and Ross Petras, is a collection of 350 notable quotes about getting older.  You won't find any stereo-typical 'old geezer' humor here.  Every contributors quotes are serious reflections on the aging process, many including title are hilarious observations on the 'golden years.'  A couple of examples;

"A stockbroker urged me to buy a stock that would triple every year, and I told him that, at my age, I don't even buy green bananas."  Senator Claude Pepper

"I have everything now that I had 20 years ago...except now it's all lower!"  Gypsey Rose Lee

Carter Henderson, author of "Funny, I Don't Feel Old: How to Flourish After 50," says older adults should focus less on the difficulties of aging and more on what makes them smile...and he works hard to follow his own advice.

End of article...

For those of you wanting to obtain more information on Senior issues, you can visit the Suddenly Senior website at suddenlysenior.com.  This is a good place to start.

And finally...age is just a number, right? (boo-hoo)  But, I worry about getting one of those awful mental diseases like Alzheimer's disease, because lately, I've been very forgetfull.  (sob-sob!)  But, believe it or not...there's one positive thing about  Alzheimer's disease...I can hide my own Easter eggs! 

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