April 3, 2014
PUBLISHER’S CORNER – “AS YOU AGE”
By Dee Deuth
My Minnesota son turned 50 years old in February. His friends showered him with “aging” gifts, such as Centrum Silver vitamins, prune juice, crossword puzzle books, even a package of Depends. As we were reminiscing about the “fun” of turning 50, I was also reminded about the aging process I have experienced since turning 50 years old, QUITE some years ago.
I have a wonderful doctor! But since turning 50, I have seen him on several occasions with ailments ranging from minor to major. There isn’t room here to list them all (nor do I care to), but to list just a few: cataracts, a tire around my middle that really enjoys its space, small skin tags that amount to nothing but a nuisance, torn rotator cuff, bunions and toes that have a mind of their own by stiffening out at night and refusing to bend until I get out of bed and walk around. When I share these complaints with my physician and ask the “Why?” the reply is always the same: “AS YOU AGE!”
Now the truth is I think I’m in my 40s rather than my 70s, so I don’t spend much time thinking about my aging process. I like to believe in the old adage, “Age is only a state of mind.” I prefer it that way. However, occasionally my
body sends a reminder that IT is my BODY, not my mind! In my back entrance hallway of my home, I have a plaque hanging on the wall that puts this all in perspective. It is to be sung to the tune of “My Favorite Things” from the Sound of Music Musical.
MY FAVORITE THINGS
BOTOX and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favorite things.
Cadillacs and cataracts, hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favorite things.
When the pipes leak, when the bones creak,
when the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favorite things;
and then I don’t feel so bad!
Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinnin,
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin,
And we won’t mention our short shrunken frames,
When we remember our favorite things.
When the JOINTS ACHE, When the HIPS BREAK, When the EYES GROW DIM,
Then I remember the GREAT LIFE I’ve had, and then I don’t feel so Bad!!!– Author Unknown
I count my blessings that I’ve been really quite healthy, that my aches and occasional problems are really a part of “As You Age.” Nothing more!! What a gift! So I look forward to Spring weather, where I can get outside, enjoy the fresh air, see our neighbors and friends and exercise more that I have this winter. I’ve been given a wonderful life, it’s up to me to take care of it “As I Age.” “And then I’ll remember the GREAT LIFE I’ve had, and then I won’t feel so bad!” I hope you can do so, too! Happy Spring! AND THANK YOU for reading 50+Lifestyles Magazine!!
