I’ve done some odd things the last few years: put the bills in the icebox, then headed to the mailbox with a carton of milk; gone to change a light bulb, only to put the burned out bulb right back into the socket; sprayed oven cleaner on the windows right after I sprayed Windex in the oven; paid the same bill twice in the same week! You get the picture. But today may well have topped them all.
The temperature had dropped into the 20’s, so I sat down on the sofa to put on a nice, warm pair of socks before I headed out to the pool. My bikini was lying on top of my workout bag. Methodically, I lifted my left leg thinking I was putting on my left sock, but instead, stuck my left foot into the left side of the bikini bottom. Then just as methodically stuck my right leg into the other side and pulled up my bikini snug over my sweat pants. I stood there a moment wondering why my feet were still so cold…………yeah.
Forgetfulness is apparently in the cards for my future. For now, I just laugh at myself. If I had Alzheimer’s, of course, I would forget how to laugh altogether. So, each day that I do something stupid—and it is most days—I always remind myself to LAUGH. That way, hopefully, folks won’t think I have dementia and need to go into a home.
A close friend called today to let me know that three of his buddies went into Alzheimer’s homes in the last year and all three died within months of moving into them. “I don’t understand it,” he said, “they were all lovely places but my friends—one of them really healthy— just suddenly up and died.”
I understand. It is hard enough losing one’s mind without losing all sense of one’s place in the world. A home is a touchstone. The longer one has lived in it, the deeper its hold on the psyche. And no amount of granite counter tops or new wall to wall carpet can compensate. T. S. Eliot once said, “Home is where one starts from.” I figure it’s also where I want to end up. Besides, I sure don’t want some stranger seeing me walk around with my bikini on over my clothes.
AGEFULLY AGING 
You are still magical! On a good note,(a pun YOU can appreciate), you remembered what happened well enough to write it in this message, so that should account for something. As a consolation, you are not alone. We are getting old. We used to say we are getting older. However, they are both blessings, and we should be thankful for this gift. You continue to astound me with your creativity. Keep writing, as i am sure you will, it will stimulate those brain cells. Try not to be tired, as it will keep you rejuvenated at all times, and do as you have always done, love life! And, keep one foot ahead of the other, and try to get each in the right place at the right time or you could end up in a Richard Simmons video. I hope the family is doing well. God Bless you all and have a Happy New Year doing something memorable together . . . and see if you can reflect on it a year from now. If you can, you are doing just fine! As always, much love, Jack.
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I don’t know about all of you but I’m not getting older, I’m doing my best to mature. Then someone comes along and tells me to act my age. Can’t seem to win!
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