Aging Gracefully
I think the most difficult part of aging is admitting to it. Before that you live in denial and sometimes make a spectacle of yourself trying to pretend that you’re still young.
My general image was the first to suffer as I grew older. First I got tired of the all-night parties; next the long hair with the occasional pony tail went out the door. Then my dress code went to the dogs. Gradually baseball caps made place for wide brimmed hats, T-shirts went out in favor of golf shirts & button up shirts, shorts became longer, canvas shoes gave way to leather shoes, jeans moved on for cotton slacks, and finally the vivid colors faded into something more sober.
Mind you, I still wear jeans more often than I should but that is because I think I still can. The thing is, I still have the same body as when I was 25. Over the last 40 years I gained 5 kilos. My ex-wife told me the other day that my bottoms don’t fill out my jeans as they used to but then my six-pack is still there; somewhat depleted but still there. So, as long as I can wear hipsters, I will. See, still the young man syndrome.
And I don’t know exactly when, why or how it happened but my taste for alcohol has faded. It was no conscious effort. I just discovered one day that I don’t drink half as much as I used to drink. My current view on alcohol is that I gave it up 20 years ago. I feel so proud of it that I celebrate it regularly with a few glasses of wine or brandy.
But it is not all milk and honey. In the mornings when I get out of bed my knees creak like an old shìthouse door and when my feet touch the cold floor all I can say is “f*ck, I’m still alive”, based only on the assumption that ghosts cannot feel the cold.
I cannot read without glasses and more than often I cannot remember where I left them last. I frequently find them on my head after looking everywhere else for 30 minutes or more. But there are advantages to a short memory; I forgive those who did me short much easier and I can read the same books and look at the same movies after a year or so.
Not ideal but it could have been worse. I have not (yet) grown any unruly hair at the most ungodly places and apart from a spot of arthritis and hypertension, I enjoy good health. Most my friends have many more ailments and they enjoy their old age; and so do I.
Admitting to old age does not mean surrendering to it.
And enjoy whatever you do today.
Comments (67)
Not to worry, I still like the word.
One would think that we should get used to it. After all, it starts straight after birth.
Anyway bed time for me
Life had just started for you. Up to now you were just preparing for life. Make the most of it.
Despite being horrified of going out clubbing etc. these days, I'm happy with where I am now - finding my way in life and making the best of it is something life experience brings.
Yes, we're getting older but there is no reason to stop having fun. My dad is 89 and he still has a very active life. As long as your health allows it you can paint the town red.
I'm having a different kind of fun these days and I still love it.
Yep, life is short and we should enjoy every moment of it. I cannot fathom people who prefer to stew alone at home. I want people around me; friends, family and girlfriend alike.
I do like the occasional "me" time (especially if I'm not getting any) but I'm not an island.
I also need my time alone (I think everybody do) but too often and not for too long. And I want my 'Internet time' like now.
JMO
Yes, we are social animals and not made to be alone.
What's that?
It something that's been chasing us since birth and every year it gets a bit closer to you. you lucky, it's still far behind.
Then come hypertension and things like cholesterol, sugar and who knows what else
Hmm.. what I don't like about aging is that my sight gets weaker.
Yes, unfortunately that is so but you also get smarter.
Heres to aging...wud rather be going this way than backwards.
Yes, the say that Wisdom comes with Age but I have found that age often travels alone.
Yes, there are advantages to growing old. What I enjoy most is the time to do the things I never had the time to do.
Cat
Subtlety was never my strong point.
Oh it will come. Look at all the old people, I mean older than the self. Look how pious and reserved they are! Do you for one moment think they were any different than us when they were younger?
I can remember my grandmother dancing until the sun came out but when she got older and the legs were no longer willing to comply, suddenly it became sinful.
I think this maybe a cultural thing then Cat.
Over here in Ireland most welcome old age because it gives thrm free reign to say and do as they please.
They dont "lay a tooth on it" is the expression i would use.
My paternal grandmother being an example.
She could give u the sweetest smile in one second.. them sweep thr rug from under your feet in the next breathe with a comment or a look.
My other Granny was the complete opposite.
A real quiet, unassuming gentle woman.
Two wonderful women who had strength in abundance...
Grandparents are such wonderful things to have. I had the privilege to know 3 of them. Only my father's mother died before I was born. She was killed by a cow..
Now that I'm a grandfather I feel so inadequate with my grandchildren. I have so little of the richness that my grandparents shared with me.