Growing older

[Bèsame*]

realizing that at our age we have stories of our past that come to light. I'm surprised at what I can recall and how just the little things that can bring a memory to light. But it's not only me. It's taking the time to listen to others' stories as well.

[theoddz]

I'll be turning 62 at the end of this month. I've been noticing some subtle (and not so subtle) changes in my mind and body.

I've had bad, horrible knees for ages now.....9 surgeries, including 2 total joint replacements on each knee, amongst 4 others (arthroscopics and a major reconstruction, back in 1989). On top of this, I am into the beginning stages of Diabetes II. I was told to expect this, since I developed an endocrine disorder while on active duty in the USMC, back in the late 70's/early 80's. The military/VA now consider me to be 100%+ service connected for this problem, in itself. The diabetes is considered secondary to all of this, in addition to hypothyroidism.

So, as the years pass, my body is slowly, but surely, breaking down. I walk with a cane nowdays and take a handful of pills each day to try to control the symptoms of the problems I was warned about getting, earlier in my life. The Testosterone I inject, every 2 weeks, has caused me to lose most of the hair on top of my head (male patterned baldness), though I totally don't lack for hair everywhere else!!! I have gray temples now, and most of the hair on my chin (I have a full beard) is now gray. I never ask, "What next??", because, as providence would have it, the fates would send more maladies to visit upon me, just for asking.

Someone once said, "Never regret growing old. It is a privilege denied to many.". I never heard anyone tell anyone else to "Never regret getting old AND SICK", as that doesn't really seem to be the object of the game. Does it??

Best wishes for all of us, for good health and peace.

~Theo~

[CherylNYC]

Luckily for me I'm physically very fit and athletic. Even though I'm 60 my younger co-workers on my very physically demanding jobs are unable to keep up with me. It's my memory that isn't, in the words of a supportive friend, airtight. I forget important conversations, the names of people who I've known for decades, tasks I haven't written down... pretty much everything. This afternoon I dressed up and rushed out of my house to attend the pre-party, the party, and then the concert I had carefully lined up on my calendar. Well, it turns out all that is happening tomorrow, not today. I couldn't figure out why no one was answering the door. I called a friend/co-worker who should have been at the pre-party and she set me straight. I'm beginning to think I should refrain from telling my other co-workers about this, and that I should cease mentioning my memory lapses which I currently laugh about openly. The friend I called today to let me into the party which is happening tomorrow is eight years my senior. She reassured me conspiratorially that she wouldn't tell anyone that I had mixed up the days. Hrrmmmm. Friends tell you that when they think you've just done something they think would be humiliating.