This month I turned an age that doesn’t bear repeating. You can go ahead and guess I must be somewhat over 60, especially since I have a son who just turned 58. It is an age of realizing, unlike I always thought before, I really will not live forever.
As I look back at my life I recognize just how blessed, fortunate, lucky or whatever you may call it, I have been to live to see the amazing world we live in at the present time. Our knowledge of world events is vast. Technology of today, like computers, cellphones, medical knowledge and all of the other undreamed of advances that have occurred since I was born help me believe there is so much more to this life. That truly there are worlds without end. That what I have been told all my life about the hereafter actually is reality.
The technology allowed me connect with all my family this birthday. We were at our son Mike’s home in Orem where his and our daughter Melissa’s family gathered. When it was time for the birthday candle ceremony every family member who wasn’t present called in on FaceTime to sing happy birthday to me. How miraculous! Our loved ones are a face-to-face phone call away at present.
The celebrating went on for awhile. One of my dearest friends my same age, Lynn Anderson, a friend from college who now lives across the street, also had a birthday a bit before mine. Our friend and neighbor, Lisa Clark, called to ask, “Sherry, if you can get a solid date from Lynn for brunch I will do all the rest and we will surprise her for her birthday.”
I got a date. When we walked into the restaurant Lynn was surprised and also delighted seeing everyone there. What I hadn’t guessed was the party also was for me and I felt pretty special as well. Many of our dear neighbors were sitting at a long table which was looking especially festive with balloons, flowers and smiling faces. It was a laughter-filled joyous morning that buoyed Lynn and me up to face the reality of the approaching birthday number.
There are positives about aging. One is that even though you are an integral part of the family and are willing to come to the rescue, you should stop fretting as it is their life and time to make the decisions. I think sometimes if we worry they get worried about our worry.
A major one is generally being free from anxiety. We can wear comfy clothes, sleep when we want, and eat what we like as long as we use good sense. I remember my mother at 90 went for a checkup, and the doctor told her not to eat certain things, one being ham. When I told my son Mike, who is an emergency room doctor, how sad she was as she loved ham, he said, “Mom, at her age she can eat what she likes. Tell her to eat all the ham she wants.”
Another is understanding that loving people is more important than wishing to be loved. The angst of youth is gone. If people don’t like us as we are, then we have plenty of friends who do, although that is changing a bit more each year. I find myself going to a lot more funerals than I would like. Losing a dear friend is sad, and losing a spouse means a lot of lonely time. I am grateful my husband and I have been able to share life together in relatively good health for so many years.
Bette Davis once said, “Old age ain’t no place for sissies!” This may be true, because the body will break down where things can’t be reversed, even with all the modern medicine. But if I’m generally healthy I’m gonna try living in this world of miracles for as long as possible, because the alternative may turn out to be great, but I’m in no rush just yet to get there.
Email: sasy273@gmail.com