It suddenly dawned on me the other day that I am 75 years old and soon to turn the big 76. Yikes! How did that happen so quickly?
This is how I look at it. There are perks.
For one thing, I no longer need an excuse to stay off a ladder or not to carry heavy stuff. And... I can love my new walking stick for rough terrain or even walking around the house if I feel like it.
Further... I can go to bed any time I want and not have to explain myself to anyone. I could pretend not to hear things sometimes and get away with it. Would I really do that? I know that some people do.
I love that I fit in with the white-haired crowd easily and therefore readily find people who laugh at the same things I do. Kindred spirits. These people also "get" my references to things. They know, for example who Liberace was and understand that the sometimes glamourized hippies smelled bad. They remember things like Keds and when a sheet of bubble gum came with a baseball card. The women remember what it was like, as little girls,, to tuck their dresses into snow pants before walking to school. Oh -- so many things to think about.
Another huge bonus in my case are adult children and close to adult grandchildren. They are totally capable of living their own lives and of making their own decisions. The pressure is off. I am in the relax mode. Perfect. If either do come to me describing a complicated situation that necessitates serious decision making, I am now where I can listen with care and ask them to let me know how it all turns out. Heaven!
I also like that I don't have to drive at night if I don't feel like it. I like that decisions to not do things are now socially acceptable. It takes the pressure off. Like I said ... perks.
So ... I suppose I should mention ... there are the aches and pains of aging as well as other assorted limitations. We all have our own bag of rocks (as my mom used to say). I guess we find our way through somehow -- one way or the other... the best way we can. Hopefully there is not a lot of complaining going on. Personally, I have little tolerance for excessive "woe is me"... in myself or in others. It takes up too much time. I try not to do the woe thing and I only listen to it for what I consider enough time to be polite. Dwelling on woe is a Big Bummer and subversive really. It's not good for anyone.
They way I look at it ... we all know that not everyone makes it this far. I personally feel that I should take advantage of the gift and try not to waste it or to take it for granted. I will soon be over half way through the septuagenarian years. Three quarters of a century has come and gone. Oh my....
Wish I could remember how to nap. I so want to stay awake for 4th of July fireworks. Happy Independence Day! We are almost there.
