For those of you around the world, who may not know where Albuquerque, New Mexico is located Albuquerque is a one-horse town of about 500,000 people, located in central New Mexico, which is sandwiched between the states of Texas; Arizona and Colorado in the southwestern part of the United States.
Everybody wants to look young these days! (2009) The business of trying to make a person look younger, in products and services, is huge today.
"Age is strictly a case of mind over matter...if you don't mind...it doesn't matter." Jack Benny
Culture shock #1:
I grew up in one of the worst neighborhoods in Albuquerque, near the railroad yards, and was always looking over my shoulder. The place will filled with hobos; misfits; gangs; drug-dealers; prosititues; winos, etc. Being Hispanic, I spoke a mix of English and Spanish during that time. The neighborhood was predominately Hispanic and Black, and in 1957,, my father moved the family into a predominately White neighborhood in the Heights of Albuquerque. Talk about culture shock! I thought I had died and gone to heaven...no more looking over my shoulder!
"If we spent as much time feeling positive about getting older, as we do trying to stay young...how much different our lives would be." Rob Brown
Culture shock #2:
At the age of 19, and during the Viet Nam war, I enlisted in the Air Force, after one year of college. The transition from civilian life to the military life was swift, and I got yelled at shortly after touch-down at boot camp. Discipline was the name of the game in the military, it would be discipline that would help me later in life to quit smoking; lose 40 pounds and jog/exercise for over 24 years, etc.
"Wrinkles merely indicate where the smiles have been." Unknown
Culture shock #3:
How time flies! One day, you're 25 years old and feeling your oats...and the next day, you're 65 years old and preparing to enter the Old Folks Home! Talk about culture shock...you'll find yourself in a world you don't recognize!
For three years, I lived in an apartment right square in the middle of two student campuses...the University of New Mexico, with over 30,000 students and Central Community College with over 25,000 students. So, the apartments were filled with young people (about 100 units), mostly in their 20's and 30's some with young kids, etc.
When I moved into the senior place in May, 2009, the person has to be 62 years of age, and I've never been around so many old people in my life! With about 160 residents in the five story building, if I go down the hall; down the elevator or walk out the front door or the back gate...all older Americans. I'm sure every resident here, has there own story to tell as to how they got here!
From what I can tell on the floor where I now live, everyone is over 80 years of age, and, at 64 years old, I feel like a teeny-bopper in this place. I suspect that there are people who leave this place, in an ambulance...for the last time! I have mixed emotions about everything.
The other day, I was in the elevator, with a lady who looked to be over 75 years of age, and she asked me, "How is your visit going?" I told her that I'm not a visitor...but that I live here for the past five months. She gave me a double-take look...and the conversation turned away...
During most of my life, people have guessed my age to be younger than I am...5 to 7...to 10 years younger than I am. So, this is good, and I really am honored when someone guesses my age younger.
A few years ago, I was working at the Canteen in the kitchen at the VA Medical Center. The cashier, Sherry, came back to me and told me there were two women, arguing as to how old they thought I was...one said I was in my late forties...and the other said I was in my late thirties! Amazing! I told Sherry, I thought the pair should get their eyes and head examined. I had never told Sherry how old I was, so I asked her, "Sherry, how old do you think I am?" She responded, "About 50-51 years old," she said. At the time, I was 60 years old.
I don't talk about this to "toot my horn!" I don't know the reasone I look young to many people, and the only reason I can think of, is that I have taken care of myself over the years! I quit smoking in 1970; I lost 40 pounds in 2001; I have jogged 15 miles a week since 1986, which translates to over 17,000 miles; I don't drink; I have never done drugs and so forth.
So, I encourage everyone to put their healthcare at the top of the list and to take care of themselves. Taking care of oneself, is a lifetime process...a person has to start young...and stay with it. The only things I do, is to wash my face with coco-butter and olive oil soap; cook with olive oil; wash my face with those alcohol pads to get out the grease and dirt; sip on prune juice every day to stay regular; cut 90 percent of red meats from the diet; eat more bunny food and so forth. No big deal!
I take a bath once a year...whether I need it or not...and I don't have any friends! (ha-ha-ha-just kidding) Now, that I'm older than dirt...I never buy green bananas! (ha-ha-ha!)
Making a comittment or promise to yourself for the long term, is a lot like Social Security. You save a little each month, and then you have some money in the piggy-bank when you grow old. You start young in your twenties and work to stay healthy...and then when you get older than the mountain like me...well hopfully you'll have your health and you may look younger too because of all your hard work! But, whether a person looks younger...or older...we're all going to die...sooner or later!
In early October, 2009, I was standing in line to get a flu shot, and a fellow, who I didn't know, stopped by to shake my hand and told me, "You're aging well," and walked away. I didn't know him from Adam! I talk about this, to encourage the reader to take care of themselves. Do what you have to do to remain healthy! I can't say it enough!
Additionally, the things I do are as follows; early detection; you can't fight what's wrong with you unless you know; I get a blood test and physical every year; a flu shot every year. The things doctors can't prescribe include the following; discipline; patience; comittment; a winning attitude!
As for as dental care is concerned. Many people my age (64) don't even have their teeth. I have no partials; no gold or silver; no asphalt; no bridges; and no cavities! I think one of the worst things that could happen to me, is to have an accident and to have to wear dentures. I think one of the most important things in life, is to have good dental, and a nice white smile and all my life, I have flossed and brushed daily and visit the dentist twice a year.
Many years ago, my father and mother in law, sold their house, and moved into one of those assisted living apartments houses. They were about 85-87 years old at the time, and I thought it was a wise idea. I went with my ex-wife to visit them on occasion, but she knew I didn't like to go there. It was so depressing to see people slumped over in wheel-chairs not knowing where they were! Is this the kind of quality of life we all seek?
Why would anyone want to live to 75 or 80 years old in this condition, or in this hateful, racist, selfish and greedy society we live in? For myself, I think it would be better to have the big one, and get the hell out of here!
"Old age is not so bad when you consider the alternative!" Maurice Chevalier
For the three years that I lived among all those young people at the campus location, I never thought of old age, illness and death. Now, that I live in the senior place, I think of those things much more. At this time in my life...I have no regrets; no fences to mend....but that could change. I've had my day in the sun, and I feel like I have accomplished many positive things with my life...and if I were to die today...well. I've always liked the quote by Woody Allen who said,
"I'm not afraid to die...I just don't want to be there when it happens!"
Today (2009), you may be young-looking; old-looking, scary-looking...or you may even look like a spider. Looks don't matter..so be patient. I know you're looking forward to the end...and your and my end will come in due time! In the end...we're all going to die...sooner or later! http://
Several years ago, the wife of a former governor died at the young age of 53. There was no foul play. She went to sleep one night and never woke up. And, if I had a choice...that's the way I'd like to die...I would go to sleep one night...and never wake up...
BEST OF HEALTH TO EVERYONE!
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