They looked like the same pair when I slipped them on this morning in the dark garage. However, when I arrived in California and looked down, I was startled to see they didn’t match. Such are the joys of aging. When I get to the point where I look down and they still look the same? I suppose I’m in trouble. Until then, I stumble along—literally.
Yesterday, at the market I was passing by a woman picking out potatoes. As she leaned forward to get one, she suddenly kicked up her back leg and I tripped over it. Fortunately, I caught myself. However, as I took the next step, I tripped over her sandal which had flown off her foot when I tripped. Lucky me is still standing! I’m beginning to think I need someone nearby to keep me upright.
Given all the time we have to prepare for old age, you’d think we’d be ready for it when it comes but we’re not. An old guy with long, gray hair whizzed by me today on an electric scooter. My first thought was, ‘Yikes! I hope you don’t fall.’ Because once you do, “Your risk of mortality increases.” Falling is the 2nd leading cause of unintentional death! It’s enough to make one long for a padded cell.
“If you want to make a success of old age, you have to start young,” Teddy Roosevelt said. But here’s the conundrum: When you’re old you don’t really believe you are old. Like that guy on the scooter, you try to operate like you did in your 20’s. Why? Because you still have hope. Recently, my daughter asked me if I noticed that I was getting smaller. I hadn’t but she’s right. I suppose that’s Nature’s way of making me disappear slowly.
Yesterday, a young man told me he wants to have a child with his wife. “But I can’t yet,” he confided, “because I can’t afford a house.” “There will never be a right time, neither for birth nor death,” I said. Besides, waiting never helped anyone’s dream come true. So, if you have the energy (and eyesight) to pursue yours, go for it. And don’t worry if your shoes don’t match as long as you’re still in them!
AGEFULLY AGING 
Leave a comment