...and arriving there suddenly.
In my early eighties I didn't feel old at all. The farmer was still here, we still had our daily walks round the fields with the dogs, we still had our holidays abroad - mainly to the US and Canada,- one almost imagines this will go on for ever, will never end. But of course it does.
Our last holiday was a river cruise from Amsterdam to Antwerp at tulip time (and back through the Zuider Zee) meeting Dutch friends for a walk through the tulips - magnificent. And then the farmer's disastrous brain tumour and it was all over.
Since then I have got progressively less agile and without doubt a lot older. Inevitable. But I soldier on - as does everyone - we don't have a choice in the matter.
What goes first as old age arrives tends to be one's extremeties! Ears, eyes, feet, hands - that kind of thing. I was reminded of this this morning when the chiropodist paid her six-weekly visit= toe nails, soles, heels, toe tops (taking in tiny would be corns (if she didn't come regularly)then a brief massage and a cream. Now I am walking on air for about five weeks until walking reminds me that she is soon due again.
Eyes - my sight is not brilliant and I have to wait for my next visit until my complete tablet change is over. (about another month I think) - then it will be down there again to have my specs updated. In the meantime my carer has bought me an illuminated magnifying glass for my codeword/crossword/sudoku hour each morning.
Ears mean a longer trip to Ripon, about twenty miles away - and at the moment I don't feel up to that. But my hearing aids work well - just need a service.
Otherwise, so far, so good. I can sit at my computer and look out on to a gradually waking up garden and - joy of joys - the gradual return of the garden birds I have missed all Winter - Mr and Mrs Blackbird doing their pre=nuptual courting, a blue tit this morning viewing possible nesting sites. No robin yet - but I am full of hope for his arrival.
See you anon.
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21 comments:
A common quote in my circles is "Old age is not for sissies." I will soon be 82 so somewhat behind you but I feel much older some days. The newest pain is in my left hip when I wake up each morning if I am laying on that side. The hip is still all mine, no metal or plastic, so I attribute the discomfort to degeneration of the hip joint or arthritis. I suppose the time may come when I have to make a decision about a hip joint replacement, but at my age, I would have to think long and hard as to whether or not to have it done.
I can no longer ride my pony way out there, but this poem from one of your poets over there comforts me:
Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho'
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
I am only in my sixties so a mere spring chicken (!) I hope to be as sprightly mentally as you when, or if, I reach 90.
You have done a good job of staying on top of all your aches and troubles. Regular appointments and "maintenance" visits - just like keeping an auto running smoothly, I guess! I put off some things as I want to save my money - like I should have my hearing aids checked, but it is so costly, so I don't. You're lucky to have the money to do whatever you feel is necessary but many don't have that, I think.
Oklahoma Sue - lovely heartening poem. Thank you.
Ana Dunk - it is my knees and ankles which are roddled with arthritis. My hips were good but four years ago I broke my left hip in a fall. I had a new hip and have had no pain at all. I can't walk without mobility aids abd have carers twice a day but life is good.
Physically very few people at 90 plus reach that age and feel not old. Mentally may be, but physically not so much so. You and others in that position are fortunate to have reached that far and only then does old age come upon you.
I wear glasses but so far my hearing is OK Feet and legs (particularly knees) are my main problem. I do my best to keep active but find everything more tiring these days. I treated myself to a walker with basket and bag for shopping, but at present our lift is out of action so I have reverted to using a stick and buying only what I can carry at one time. It's keeping me fit but I know I walk more correctly with the walker. Luckily we'll have the lift back in working order in another couple of weeks. Like us, it is elderly.
What a wonderful and inspiring post, Pat. Thank you.
A quotation for you:
'As long as you have a window, life is exciting.' - Gladys Tabor
Hugs!
Here is the thing that I notice about getting older...all of a sudden, time starts passing in an eye blink.
As far as I can tell you are in fine fettle - (mentally). Just make sure no one hugs you so hard one of your ribs crack.
The other day my mother, she is six months younger than you, played the age card. Which is fine. Whatever. Bring it on. I have the patience of a saint. Talk to me from beyond the grave. No problem. I hear you. However, as the conversation (on the phone) progressed I reminded her that I am not exactly a spring chicken any longer either. It must have come as a shock to her because she put the phone down.
U
Aging gracefully is a fine art. It appears that you continue to master the skill beautifully. In my opinion, genetics and luck also play a role in aging. Some people are luckier than others. That said, there is no escaping the process entirely.
Here's another poem that I think is quite apt.
"Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering.
There's a crack in everything
That's where the light gets in".
I think a person just has to think more about the things that they still can do and enjoy and not hark back to the days when most anything seemed possible.
I'm working hard at becoming fit. The operative words are "working" and "hard".
Old age is what it is but there are some things we can control to some extent. We can keep active to the extent our body will let us. Some people just sit down and that's it. I like your comments on age.
Oh how I would love to sit down and that's it, but I am 70, between generations... needing to care for a toddler granddaughter in my home and my own mother with many visits to her home. I have recently accepted Government domestic home help starting soon, to keep on top of things physically. I certainly feel my age energy-wise, and I think having osteoporosis doesn't help. I am aware of time passing very quickly, but my little granddaughter is a beacon of giggly delight.
"As life goes on we adapt to what we can do and new things fill the gaps." - Pam.
I noticed quite a bit of 'Pigeon courting' going on yesterday. Looks like we can expect lots of baby Pigeons in Spring.
Dear Pat, I have said it before and will probably say it again - you are setting a fine example, and I hope to be a bit like you when I get to your age.
Your sentence "But I soldier on - as does everyone - we don't have a choice in the matter" immediately made me think of my Dad.
He definitely did NOT soldier on. He did not actively address any of his many health issues but did pretty much what Red describes in his comment - he just sat down and that was it. He had no interest, no motivation in regaining some of his mobility.
Partly I believe this was due to him not seeing the need - he had my Mum doing everything for him, and one by one, she even did those things for him he would have been capable to do on his own, but everything took him a long time and so she ran out of patience and ended up doing everything. As a result, in spite of excellent medical care, his body deteriorated more and more. He was three months short of his 81st birthday when he died.
If this sounds like I am holding a grudge against my Dad, it is true in part. But I loved him dearly and miss him; it was only the last five years or so when it felt as if he was letting himself down - and his family at the same time.
What an inspiring lot you are. Thank you for commenting - you keep me going between you!
In my mind you are doing well old gal x
Thanks John
I am in my 70s and finally realized (admitted) I am not Getting Old, and sometimes tell friends and family with a smile "I have Achieved old." I visit quite an array of specialist doctors who are keeping a watchful eye on several issues. I keep busy and find reasons for joy, thank goodness. I always enjoy your posts and your wise words.
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