As we age, stuff has a bad habit of going wrong.
We don’t move as quickly nor as agilely as we once did. Things hurt that didn’t hurt before.
It’s as if there is a darkness descending upon us. Our eyes need stronger glasses, our hearing suffers, and our will to live is challenged in so many ways.
Each morning and night we treat ourselves to a handful of drugs designed to keep us alive one more day, and we are told if we don’t stick a healthy diet and exercise regularly there may well be dire consequences.
Along with that, we have to contend with the press and every health guru telling us that 60 is the new 40. Rubbish I say, our bodies are subject to years of neglect by that age, things are wearing out, our internal organs have been abused through years of poor eating and a lack of exercise or in some cases severe combinations of both.
We discover that most of our social life takes place in the doctor’s surgery or pharmacy where we go to get a prescription or have it filled.
Then there is the ever-present possibility of losing our minds. That is a prospect that terrifies so many older people, the thought of drifting away from family and loved ones through no apparent fault of your own.
Recently as good friend of mine was horrified at my suggestion of going to a ‘senior citizen’ open day. In her mind, it was all about walking aids and incontinence pads, and she wasn’t having a bar of being seen in such a place. Needless to say, we didn’t go and probably won’t into the future.
I can understand the fears of getting older, so many things go wrong that we may be responsible for but so often are not. Genetics play a huge part in determining whether or not we might live on into old age or not.
But as the days go by and the aches and pains increase, our blood pressure fluctuates and our cholesterol ebbs and flows along with our blood sugars we are either going to be in denial or pro-active in our responses but all the while as the years pass we grow accustomed to the darkness.
Written for: https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2019/04/04/reenas-exploration-challenge-81/
Morpethroad 
A friend told me, it’s better than the alternative….I believe life is what you make it.
I agree I think everyday I get vertical is a good day 😃
A bleak picture, I must say.
A sad reality unfortunately
I hope that it’s not as dark as predicted.
Growing older is inevitable. Growing up is optional 😀
Some days they come into conflict with each other. Tough eh?
Yep.
The joys of age, hey. 🙂
Never a dull moment but a lot of ordinary ones 😂
That’s my morning chuckle. I thank you. 🙂
You have painted the sunset years quite well. On the other hand, I’ve seen senior citizen groups having a rollicking time with their parties and picnics. The colorful hats and bohemian dresses I once saw on a weekend, made me feel stodgy in my jeans and tee 🙂
Those seniors I look up to.
Reblogged this on Reena Saxena and commented:
As the years go by …………… a reflective piece by Michael
Michael, your essay resonates with me, for good or ill…
Thanks so much.
You are very welcome. I’m exactly at the place you’re talking about.
Fun isn’t it…NOT…but we make the best of what we have, as someone earlier said, the alternative isn’t all that attractive.
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