I Don’t Know How to Act…..my age.
Monday, August 25th, 2008Okay…..I went over the proverbial “hill” when I turned thirty a few, I mean…several, I mean quite a few……ahh…ACTUALLY……decades (Owwwwww…..the thought hurts!) ago. Decades ago? Wow! And I can remember that far back, where I was and what I was doing. I had moved here to the heart of the “Bible Belt” from California to keep the “little lady” happy. Her family lived here and she wanted to move back and be close to her mama and daddy. So, being in “love”, I turned down a pay raise and promotion and moved with her, away from family and friends to about the last place on earth that I expected to live. Long story short?…..we’re history….and that’s all that needs to be said about that. I’m still here…but she’s moved on…..greener pastures….or whatever’s out there in her world.
Anyhowwww…………the big B-day came and went. Where did that last year go? Veteran of Foreign Wars, Vietnam veteran, Disabled American veteran, member of AARP………I claim to be qualified and/or affiliated with all of them. I get senior citizen discounts at a few places, a free senior citizen magazine that shows up in my mailbox ever month but as the sun dips down toward the horizon of my “50’s”, I’m not sure how to act…my age.
What am I supposed to do when 1) so many of the people I meet who appear to be much older than I am are in fact years younger.
There’s a little bit of “snow on the roof” (very little), not a wrinkle in sight), no “crow’s feet” around the eyes (sure signs of aging, I’m told) and if I’m feeling alot better than I should be as the big “SIX-O” looms in the distant horizon (I’m not there yet, thank you), I must confess, I feel pretty damn good!
“You’re HOW OLD?” That’s a common reaction I get when others find out how old I am. I’m used to it by now and it no longer surprises me. But I know that over and above the benefits of “good genes”, natural things that my racial ancestry provide to delay visible signs of aging and a history of being fitness conscious to some degree for the last forty years, give or take the appearing and disappearing periods of laziness sprinkled in there, all have contributed to my current state of well-being that I am enjoying this day and anticipate enjoying in the days ahead.
Most mornings find me at the fitness center, burning those calories on the elliptical machine and following up with weight training. Long hikes, miles of river rides on my bike and hours in the hot, summer sun (working in the yard) only seem to energize me more. I’m not bragging. I’m just glad to feel the wayI do. So, how should I feel at this stage of my life and how should I act? What’s my limit? Who knows? I’m too busy feeling good about, well…….feeling good. The mind and body are strong, the skin is tight and tanned, life is good, there is so much to be thankful for and nothing to complain about. Maybe acting your age is more about attitude, living each day to the fullest and less about being focused on the years that have gone by. At least, that’s MY story, and yes……again…..I’m sticking to it.
P.S…….wow! Has it been THAT long since I wrote anything! Hmmm…….the creative juices continue to flow. These fingers just need to find their way to this keyboard more often, I guess.