Funny story... about getting older. I recently called the Emeritus Program at our local community college to check on a genealogy class that was being offered. The class I was interested in was already full, so I asked the lady if it would be given again in the summer session. She said yes, she was sure it would be offered again... then she gave a little laugh, and said, "... but the Instructor is 80 years old." I laughed and said, "That's alright I'm pushing 70 myself. So, if he (and I) are around next semester, I'll just take it then."
I guess that's the kind of little comments that I both fear and laugh at... that once you reach a certain age (and for me it's 70), people are expecting you to die any day. Maybe the word is not *expecting*, but they are considering the possibility. And I don't really fear it, but there's a little voice inside that keeps saying, "...oh sh...t!"
There's a comic in the newspaper (which by the way, we just cancelled - it was getting way too expensive) called, "Pickles". I don't know if it's syndicated (or for sure what syndicated means), but it's pretty accurate in its portrayal of an aging couple. Do any of you read Pickles?
So, I guess we have to accept that we're getting *to that age* with grace... but maybe not always with *dignity*.
We can still have fun...
 |
| books, coffee, and chocolate.... |
The following is another pic of 3 of our inside cats enjoying the sun coming through the bedroom window:
And some recent visitors to our yard:
 |
| young possum |
 |
| fat squirrel |
 |
| young black feral cat |
It's nice to read a post about old age for once. I am 69 and know exactly what this post is about.
ReplyDeleteNobody told me it would be like this an I for one hate getting old.
That spot or bump that would once have been pushed to one side now has sinister possibilities, that's just one hurdle that us oldies have to contend with.
Neverthe less I try to keep positive and enjoy what's left. LOL
Briony
x
It's ironic, we spend our first 20 years or so wishing we were older, our next forty years working like a dog so we can retire, and the last ???? years wondering how much longer we have left. It's been said youth is wasted on the young.
ReplyDeleteI guess the important thing is to enjoy each day as it comes and find the joy. I love the cartoon of the ladies in the fort...that would be fun! I may have to try it....my kids will think I'm nuts but the cats would probably enjoy hanging out with me.
Have a great weekend!
Nice post, I had a good laugh.
ReplyDeleteI still have a lot I want to do before I leave this world.
Maybe I'll get lucky and live to be a hundred.
I'm not sure if I have a lot I want to do before I leave... but pretty sure that I'm not ready to leave just yet.
DeleteI kept pushing out the definition of old...it is up to about 95 now. Imagine my complete and utter shock when my husband died at 69, a young age. We just have to make each day count.
ReplyDeleteThat's the truth, Olga. Neither of my siblings made it to their 60's... so I am blessed.
DeleteThe spouse and I were reading the paper the other day and he commented that you know you're getting older when you know most of the people on the obituary page. We both read it everyday now...and comment things like "wow, he was only 68!"
ReplyDeleteI haven't gotten to reading the obits yet... and now that we no longer get a paper, will probably never do this.
Delete'Old age' keeps getting pushed back as I age. But I find when planning future events my contemporaries add caveats like - God willing...barring any health issues...assuming I'm still around...Not exactly giving in to age, but recognizing s**t happens more frequently the older we get.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Meryl. It's funny though, the kids don't like it when you use those caveats.... they're like, "Momm-mmm???" But it's not being morbid, it's just accepting the possibilities.
DeleteI read Pickles every day. He's one of eight that I follow. I go directly to the website to read it and skip the syndication in the newspapers. You don't have to miss Pickles just because you don't read the paper any more. And I used to read the obits when I bought a paper, but now I only read them when I happen to be perusing the local paper at the coffee shop. It's part of aging, I think. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, DJan. I hadn't thought of being able to still read Pickles by going to the web site. I will try that.
Delete