Gilbert the Boy Checker Player

     

     This blog has nothing to do with Gilbert the Boy Checker Player.  I just nabbed onto this title from the "Lub and Abner" show on classic radio, circa 1940.  I think it's a fabulous title, but I know only a little about checkers and nothing of Gilbert.  Instead, I shall aim toward one of this blog's chief topics, aging.

     Aging is a sneaky thing.  One day you have a gorgeous complexion and the next, brown spots all over the place.  Skin gets crepy and elastic, too.  Bruises appear in places you don't remember traumatizing.  By far the worst annoyance is what I refer to as the Tin Man phenomena; upon arising from bed or a chair, I wait for synovial fluid to go back where it should be so that my knee joints will work.  A tin can would be delightful. Instead I wait.  In case of a fire or even a handsome fellow at my door, I am out of luck.  I stand as if both of my feet were in cement for at least a minute or two.

    Nothing is all bad.  In my head I am still young and feel like I'm putting something over on people.  I am always surprised when people guess my age correctly as they usually do.  I, nevertheless, enjoy what I call the "perks" of the over 65 group.  Here is a small list.  There are more, but these are my favorites.

• Your kids take care of you.   
• Everybody waits until you make your way
• Doors are held
• Doctors find you a challenge
• Generally speaking, expectations are low, so you can surprise everyone
• Time is all yours--do as you like
• Marriage is more like it was in the beginning
• Age can get you out of things you never wanted to do in the first place
• You're not alone; it happens to everyone
• It's so easy to not sweat the small stuff

     The glorious part of all of this is that you are still you.  It's the same you you were at 15, 21, 35, etc. You love the same things, just more.  If you can miss the bad health bullet or handle it, life is fairly terrific. But, you needn't take my word for it.  Just wait. You'll see.