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Getting Older Challenges & Observations 3/21/2017 6:56:13 AM
Getting older has its challenges, but that doesn't necessarily mean one cannot look upon them without humor.
These are some of my observations. I am enjoying being older. Some of you will certainly identify with and/or resemble the following challenges and observations: Fortunately, none of these prevent regular life activities. They are part of Nature’s plan.
I misstep from my patio steps and fall to the ground. My neighbor, concerned for my health, ask if he can help me up. I say to him “Just let me lay here for a minute. I want to make sure everything still works before I get up.”
While on vacation in Florida, I see young people driving a jet ski through the waves. I tell my wife that I am going to sign up for it and have some fun. After reminding me that I am not as young as I once was, she tells me to go for it. I spend the next few hours telling my wife how I am looking forward to riding the waves. By the end of the vacation, though, that desire turns out to be all talk and no action.
I am fortunate to still do the thing Toby Keith sings about. “As good as I once was.” In other words, I can indeed run that 50 yard dash. But it takes a lot longer to run. As soon as I finish it though, I have to take a nap.
I have a bucket list. Until a few years ago I didn’t know what a bucket list was.
Young people! They just don’t understand, Beatles aren’t just insects!! 50s’ and 60s’ Rock & Roll, the greatest music ever!!!
I knew I was getting older when at age 48 the sixteen year old behind the counter gave me a fountain drink with a senior discount. The conflict for me was do I tell her I am not a senior or do I accept the drink at a reduced price?
Sarah my equestrian trainer, 30 years my junior, says “Turn your head in the direction you want your horse to turn.” I say to her, “I can’t turn my head.” She says, “Then turn your upper body.” I say “It’s stuck too!”
Most of the kids I went to school with have different appearances. They look more stressed or less stressed. Some are bigger. Some are smaller. Some have less hair or it’s a different color. Some have different personalities than I remember. And some I have no recollection of.
Getting out of a chair requires thought now. Sometimes, if the body is not positioned correctly, it pains me. So before getting out of the chair I have to give some thought to preparing the body for discomfort.
I no longer look at the octogenarian as someone who has one foot in the grave. Instead, I look at them with admiration. They represent a great deal of history and have overcome many hardships. They know how to overcome.
Politics, religion, and future have become a more integral part of life now. Especially since I plan to leave a legacy for my children.
I eat out more. It is easier than cooking.
Some foods bother me.
Since I am older, it seems restaurants serve too much food. And if I eat too much, I become uncomfortable. Obviously, I don’t like that feeling. So there may be food left on my plate. Because I paid good money for it and I can’t eat it, I’m going to take it home. If asked, most restaurants will provide a box for the left overs. If I remember to actually take the box from the restaurant, that box ends up in my refrigerator. Usually I throw out its contents two weeks later.
My wife and I have discovered that we can order one meal and split it. The advantage is we don’t have deal with left overs and we save some money on the meal.
Speaking of saving some money, how about those Senior discounts?
The definition of buffet has changed for me. I used to like to eat at buffets because I could eat as much as I wanted to eat. Today, I eat at buffets because my stomach capacity has shrunk. I eat only as much as I am able to eat. Therefore, no left overs.
The “What if we would have done …..?” stuff is not worth getting stressed about. The past cannot be changed. Instead, I learn from that “stuff” to improve present and future.
I have learned to pick my battles. It is no longer important to stress out over things I cannot control. I.e. The book I ordered from the library is still out. The grocery store does not have my cereal.
Spoiling grandchildren and watching them mature is better than I expected.
“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks!” That is a myth. Since retiring, I’ve learned to ride a motorcycle, ride a horse, and send an e-mail with my cell phone.
Like a great classic car, things work well with proper tuning. It’s just that this classic car requires more tuning than it once did.
HOW ABOUT YOU?
