I GOT OLD, THANK GOODNESS
Life is delicious. Don't overthink it.
It's ok. Don't panic or think I need a pep talk, or intervention.
I hear this a lot: "You're not old."
This from an eleven-year-old. Right. Like they know all about age.
"But don't worry," I smile gently. "If you are lucky, you'll get old too."
I love life. Don't you?
Breck used to say: "The alternative is worse."
He loved life too and never wanted to die.
Guess we don't get to choose. I still miss him.
Here's the deal:
When I turned 75, two awesome things happened:
One: I became softer. I stopped caring so much about things in my circle of concern. Things I really had little to no control over. I became happier. Less stressed. All good. (Well, mostly.) I'm not delusional. But I now work on my circle of influence - Grandkids.
Two: Other people began to think because I reached three quarters of a century, I must have also reached: Wisdom. Ha. OK. I like that.
I worked hard to get old and have gratitude to still be kicking.
But things change. Like exercise. I've been an exercise-nut all my life. It just made me feel good. It was easy. Lately, not so much. But I've developed a revolutionary fitness program involving cherries.
The Cherry Stretch Program™
Clinical protocol: Should be done while laying down on the bed, playing Mahjong. NOTE: Mahjong has an automatic AI voice who tells you that you are legendary and amazing each time you create a match. I will keep playing just to hear that!
Here's the exercise program:
Place cherries on the bed, just out of reach.
Become hungry, or take a break, whichever comes first
Do a sit up and stretch (reach) for a cherry
Slowly lay back down.
Repeat.
Evidence level:🍒🍒🍒🍒🍒
One small disclaimer: This program also works with pork rinds. I just don't advertise that part because it sounds less scientific.
PS: Don't tell Dina. She's not a fan of pork rinds.
It's OK. She's not old yet.
Plus: Peer reviewed by absolutely no one.
Side effects may include improved flexibility.
Not guaranteed to lose any weight.
🤣🤣🤣
So, fear not getting older.
It can be fun.
Especially when everyone makes excuses for you not showing up on time, or not showing up at all; plus, your body and your taste buds don't always vote the same way. At 75 you expect it and stop apologizing.
It's all good.
Laughter is truly the best medicine at any age.
For instance:
Simon has been going through a cancer-experience. He opted for chemo as well as taking responsibility to heal himself. That's legendary and amazing.
Since I'm 75, my filters have mostly retired.
So, I told Simon he was a dumb-ass for taking chemo because he doesn't know any better. Then I looked in the mirror. What does that make me ... taking tirzepatide when I know better? Sigh. Then there's always that.
Bottom line?
I worked hard to get old. Please don't try to take the joy of aging away from me.
Our culture treats "old" like an insult, as if aging is something to apologize for.
I see it as a diploma.
I see heaven as a graduation.
I earned every one of these years.
People spend so much energy trying to reclaim youth that they sometimes miss the gifts of age—softening, perspective, the freedom to stop needing to win every argument, more laughter (but with the possibility of wetting the pants), and the confidence to say, "Life is complicated...and wonderful."
Can I get an AMEN?
Or at least a "LEGENDARY!"
Love you guys.
Be Well ~ Be Safe ~ Be Happy
It's a Jungle Out There
Life is Contagious
Comments