By Lois E. Wilson
Mark Twain observed, “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” We cannot stop ourselves from physically aging; bur we can force a smile or two and try to enjoy the process. Here are a few signs that one is on the way to breaking the age barrier:
When we were checking into the hotel, the clerk said to my husband, “I guess you and your mother want separate rooms.”
You have to check your Iphone to see what day of the week it is.
You are away from home a week, and when back home you have to read the instruction manuals to relearn how to operate your appliances.
You need pliers and a screwdriver to open the “safety” caps on your medicines. You send your teeth to the dentist for cleaning. You get shingles instead of chicken pox.
You wear opaque hosiery because your varicose veins make your legs look as if they are wearing fish-net stockings. You wear turtle-neck tops and scarves to hide inevitable neck wrinkles and sags. You buy only flat-heeled shoes that will hold your orthotics
When grooming your hair, you often find more hair on the comb than on your thin spot. Your sexiest nightgowns are now flannel with long sleeves.
At times you need a magnifying glass and glasses to boost your reading ability. You shake when you write and it is not because you’re cold. You decrease the renewal time span for magazines and papers.
You discover a cane is more than a twirling dance prop for Fred Astaire. Your Rollator not only gives support when you walk, it has become a table chair and desk chair.
Since you no longer mop the floors on your knees, they look fairly decent. But you don’t wear shorts because you do not want to scare the neighbors who are so good to you. Those dandelions which for many years vexed you by appearing in the lawn and flower beds, you now find quite beautiful and tolerate a few.
A big event of some weeks is a drive-thru trip at KFC or the Post office. Visits and calls from friends and family members are greatly appreciated.
My list of examples of breaking the age barrier grows each day—but I hope not too rapidly. As you look through your list, remember what you can, and for goodness’ sake—keep smiling!