AGING

It happened yesterday – again! I was checking out at the grocery store and when I reminded them of my senior discount, I was carded!! She just wouldn’t believe I was 68.

She said, “You must work out a lot and stay on the go.”

I said, “Nope, it must be just genes ‘cause I sit around all day reading or getting on the computer, and occasionally, I walk the dog.”

I just love it, of course, when people are surprised about my age. There’s a cute girl (in her late twenties) down the street from me. She said to me one day that I surely didn’t retire from teaching because of age. When I told her what my age was, she began telling everyone in the neighborhood about it.

“You know that lady who walks the little white dog? She’s almost seventy!!”

I really don’t mind if people know my age now. I just wish I physically felt the way I look. What started out as a little ache in my tennis knees has now spread to every joint I have: hips, ankles, elbows, wrists, shoulders, and even my fingers! I finally got the doctor to give me something and that helps, but the pain does take its toll.

The two sisters have it all over me when it comes to caring for themselves physically. They walk (fast!) every day and are very careful about what they eat. Of course, they weigh a lot less than I do, too. And they have always had tons of energy!! They are both constantly on the go.

MA plays bridge, volunteers weekly at the local hospital as well as their church, and is continually attending and having parties! Just thinking about her schedule makes me want to go back to bed!!

And BJ is the same. Her three daughters and seven grandchildren live within a few miles of her and she spends much time with them (when she and Jerry aren’t traveling). She also does a lot of church work. And she makes three meals every day!! Of course, both of my brothers-in-law are retired and the genius is not, so that makes a difference about the meals.

AND . . . there is one good thing about being overweight at this age – my face has very few wrinkles. There are a few around the eyes that I’ve had for years, but the rest is mostly smooth.

Whatever the reason, genes, attitude, or weight, I’m pretty happy with the way I look as long as I continue to be carded.